Anne Main: Concern over demise of Hatfield superhospital project

Anne Main has voiced her concerns at the announcement that plans for the proposed superhospital at Hatfield, have been scrapped.

Anne Main, Member of Parliament for St Albans has voiced her concerns at the announcement that plans for the proposed superhospital at Hatfield, have been scrapped.

Anne's comments came following an announcement by the two Hertfordshire Primary Care Trusts today (Friday) that the proposal was "not affordable".

Anne said:

"Sadly, this is something I have feared for a considerable time. The residents of St Albans have been led to believe that they would have enhanced facilities and a super hospital by their former Labour Member of Parliament, who claimed to have assurances about the project while he clearly had not received any such assurances.

In light of this announcement, we must now ensure we maintain good local facilities for the residents of St Albans, and we also need an honest appraisal of the travel issues for those who must travel to Watford for treatment. I have major concerns that these issues will not be solved and this could have serious ramifications for the treatment of those in our community.

We must move on from this situation and have clear and concrete proposals for the care of the residents of Hertfordshire. I look forward to hearing the Trust's proposals for the future of NHS provision in the area. I hope that these will include a reappraisal of the future of the newly opened Breast Cancer Unit at St Albans Hospital. I feel that the unit should remain permanently at St Albans Hospital and the facilities should be upgraded as part of any new plan.""