An update on the proposed Watford General rebuild is not expected before the autumn budget, hospital bosses have said, although they are "still positive" for the town's chances.

West Herts Teaching Hospitals Trust chair Phil Townsend told the annual general meeting today (September 26) that he “can’t see the government giving a timeline before the budget”, which is set for October 30.

“I think they're going to tie the two things together and we haven't been given any target for an announcement back to us,” he added. “Our readiness documents have been excellent and we have produced everything we need to produce. I think we have given everything to make our case as positive as possible.”

The proposed Watford General rebuild.The proposed Watford General rebuild. (Image: West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust) The chair said “some discussions” were ongoing with the government but admitted they were “not a lot”, adding: “At the end of the day, it’s a big government process they have to go through but I’m still positive.”

It comes after the government published guidance on September 20 for its review of the previous target of 40 new hospitals before 2030.

The review will look at the possible timelines for 25 facilities, including Watford General, and “present a range of options to be taken forward”.

Watford General is one of 25 facilities being reviewed by the government.Watford General is one of 25 facilities being reviewed by the government. The hospitals will then be prioritised according to criteria including clinical outcomes, deliverability, cost and estate condition.

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

Mayor Peter Taylor has written to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting, and Watford MP Matt Turmaine on behalf of Watford Borough Council calling for clarity.

Mr Turmaine also said on Monday (September 23) he had had a “positive” face-to-face meeting with Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth MP and Wes Streeting where he made it “crystal clear” that the WGH rebuild was “ready to go”.

Watford MP Matt Turmaine with Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth MP in the House of Commons. Watford MP Matt Turmaine with Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth MP in the House of Commons. (Image: Matt Turmaine)

The AGM today also heard a general assessment of the state of the trust from April 2023 to March 2024, including that surgical productivity had returned to pre-covid levels.

Watford General, St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead hospitals’ reliance on temporary agency staff has been reduced from £16.9 million in costs in 2022/23 to £13.7 million, while the trust also hailed “good progress” on cancer and referral time targets.

The "virtual hospital" also treated almost 5,000 patients between April 23 last year and February 24, which it estimated had saved 4,500 hospital bed days.

It closed the 2023 financial year with a deficit of £13.8 million, down from a £300,000 surplus in 2022/23, which hospital bosses blamed on emergency pressures, industrial action, and unfunded high inflation.

Update: this article has been updated as a previous version incorrectly stated that an update was not expected until the spring budget next year.