HANDS off our hospital was the message from Watford residents who attended a public meeting to discuss the future of health service in west Hertfordshire.

Scores of people turned out half-an-hour before Wednesday's meeting at the Multi-Racial Centre in Durban Road West, with banners protesting against the possible closure of Watford General Hospital.

The meeting attracted more than 70 people and tensions were running high as people voiced their disgust at possible cutbacks.

Former councillor Mr Mike Jackson, who is a full-time Unison representative said: "I think it is reckless the way these proposals are being steam-rollered through in such a short space of time.

"Lives are at stake with this decision. We need more money, not more cutbacks."

The main aim of the meeting was to discuss the four options:

Hemel Hempstead and Watford both providing accident and emergency care and working more closely to provide joint services and departments

Either Hemel Hempstead or Watford becoming the main hospital for accident and emergency with the other providing planned surgical services

Either Hemel Hempstead or Watford becoming the main hospital for west Hertfordshire and the other becoming a community hospital. St Albans would become a Primary Care Provider Unit and Mount Vernon would become a specialist provider for west Hertfordshire

A new hospital for west Hertfordshire, costing £150 million, would be built and would take ten to 15 years to plan. Either Hemel Hempstead or Watford would become a community hospital and the other would close. St Albans would become a Primary Care Provider Unit and Mount Vernon would provide specialist care for the region.

When discussions were over, the public took a vote on which option they preferred. People voted unanimously for option five - none of the above.

Ms Anne Walker, director of commissioning of West Hertfordshire Health Authority; Dr Peter Reader, Watford GP; Mr Howard Borkett-Jones, A&E consultant and Trust medical director; Mr Stephen Ramsden, chief executive of Mount Vernon and Watford Trust; and Bill Maclntyre, West Hertfordshire Community Health Trust, made up the panel to explain the proposals and answer questions.

Ms Marion Harvey, who works for Watford General, said: "To expect elderly people to travel to Hemel Hempstead is unreasonable and I don't think they would be able to receive proper care at home after an operation."

Mr Ian Brackenbury, member of Unison in Watford, said: "It is really sad that we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the health authority with the possible closure of Watford Hospital.

"Who is going to put up the money for those who have to travel the extra distance to Hemel Hempstead Hospital and cannot afford it?"

Ms Yvonne Kennedy, member of the Socialist Worker's Party, said: "The cuts in the health service comes down to money. The Millennium Dome will cost £78 million to build, why doesn't the Government use that money first?"

There will be another public meeting to discuss the issue at Fairway Hall, Borehamwood, at 7.30pm on Wednesday, January 28.

There will also be a demonstration against the possible hospital closures on Saturday, January 31, at Charter Place Watford, at 10pm.

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