Watford General: 'review' of 40 hospital project called

At the end of last week, health secretary Wes Streeting described the previous government’s promise of 40 new hospitals by 2030 as a “cynical ploy” to give people “false hope”.

The MP, who committed to delivering the hospitals during the election campaign, confirmed that he had asked officials for a report on the project's status and a realistic timetable for delivery.

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In Watford, a multi-storey car park has already gone up, an overall planning application has been approved, all the land has been bought, and a new access road has been laid.

The borough council therefore says it is past time the government release the funds so building can get underway.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting. (Image: PA)

Pressed to clarify whether Watford will be getting the cash, and whether the town can still expect a new hospital by 2030, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “The NHS is broken, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the state of some of our crumbling hospitals.

“Every community deserves hospitals and healthcare facilities fit for the future. The Health and Social Care Secretary has asked for an urgent report on the degree to which the New Hospital Programme is funded and a realistic timetable for delivery.

Watford General Hospital plan impression. (Image: West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust)

“He will consider this carefully then report back to patients, clinicians, and local communities to confirm the schedule.”

At a meeting on July 16, Watford’s council voted unanimously for mayor Peter Taylor to write to Mr Streeting asking him specifically “to confirm whether the New Hospital Programme is continuing and whether Watford General Hospital will still be included within that programme”.

Design showing how a rebuilt Watford General Hospital would look. (Image: BDP/West Herts NHS Trust)

Councillor Jenny Pattinson, who is responsible for wellbeing in the borough, said funding needs be released to begin construction “and build a hospital fit for the 21st Century”.

“Local hospital staff are doing extraordinary work in Watford General’s outdated buildings, but they need the latest technology and equipment to ensure they can continue to provide a high standard of patient care,” the Liberal Democrat added.

Councillor Jenny Pattinson. (Image: Simon Jacobs)

“Immediate investment is crucial after so many delays in receiving funding. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build the hospitals West Hertfordshire desperately needs.

“We will continue to press the government to release the money to transform our local hospitals, which includes our recent letter to the Secretary of State asking for confirmation of funding for the New Hospital Programme and the government’s plan to make sure the residents of West Hertfordshire get this much needed new hospital.”

Watford's new Labour MP Matt Turmaine said he remains confident that the scheme is on course under his party.

"A commitment to the new hospital was given last year and reiterated again during the election campaign and this was widely reported," he said.

"The Conservative/Liberal Democrat government tore up Labour’s plans to rebuild the hospital in 2010. If they had not done that it would have been built long before now. Fourteen years later the wait goes on thanks to them.

"Rome wasn’t built in a day and this new government is just weeks old. Labour has inherited a mess, but I am confident that whereas others have failed, we will deliver for our town.”

Watford MP Matt Turmaine. (Image: Watford Labour)