Disappointment as Hemel A&E closes with no reassurances on PFI

With the closure of Hemel Hempstead A&E today, Anne Main has expressed concern that there are still no assurances from Government Ministers about the security of PFI funding for Watford Hospital.

With the closure of Hemel Hempstead A&E today, Anne Main, MP for St Albans, has expressed concern that there are still no assurances from Government Ministers about the security of PFI funding for Watford Hospital.

In a recent letter to Anne, Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "It is impossible to predict precisely the position the financial markets will be in a year from now...The Watford scheme will not have to seek project finance for at least two and a half years (subject to approval of its initial business case). I understand that the Trust has already sought advice from bankers, financial advisers and property experts. Their view is that the financial markets will have improved by then and that investors will be actively looking for fully agreed and well structured PPP schemes."

Anne said:

"The Accident and Emergency Unit at Hemel Hempstead will close later today and Watford will become the key hospital for St Albans. This change was agreed on the guarantee that PFI funding would be available to develop the new