The Watford General rebuild saga is set to continue into next year after the autumn Budget failed to provide clarity on the scheme.
Interested parties had hoped an update would be provided in today's speech, which saw Chancellor Rachel Reeves deliver Labour's first Budget since 2010.
While Ms Reeves did announce a £22bn funding boost for the NHS, there was little detail on the future of the New Hospitals Programme - the former government's plan to build 40 new hospitals.
The Chancellor only confirmed that the review will continue into 2025 - leaving the plan in limbo.
Incredibly disappointing that there was no good news on funding for Watford General redevelopment in today’s budget - with the Chancellor saying the review of this project will carrying on into 2025.
— Peter Taylor (@WatfordMayor) October 30, 2024
We’ve waited long enough! It’s time to get on and deliver these improvements.
Watford's mayor Peter Taylor reacted to the news on X, formerly Twitter, writing: "Incredibly disappointing that there was no good news on funding for Watford General redevelopment in today’s budget.
"We’ve waited long enough! It’s time to get on and deliver these improvements."
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Pre-election Labour had committed to delivering a new Watford General Hospital as promised by the previous government. However, a review has since been launched to assess viability of the New Hospitals Scheme amid government claims adequate money was never there.
The town's Labour MP Matt Turmaine said: "Watford hospital remains in the New Hospital Building Programme Review as was previously announced. Further information is coming in the comprehensive spending review early next year."
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 in anticipation of the rebuild.
A spokesperson for West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We were pleased to hear in today’s Budget that the Health Secretary will be setting out further details of his review into the New Hospital Programme in the coming weeks and publishing in the New Year.
"We will continue to work closely with the government to ensure this vital project is delivered.
"As our communities, dedicated staff and partners know, the current hospital estate is not fit for purpose and has suffered from decades of chronic under-investment. Our scheme is well developed as we have planning permission, acquired the land for the new building and enabling work has begun to clear the site."
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