Yesterday in Parliament, Anne Main MP met with representatives from the New Hospital Campaign group to discuss future healthcare provision in West Hertfordshire. The group, alongside Claudio Duran (prospective council candidate for Marshalswick North), have long campaigned for a new build hospital to serve the area, rather than refurbishing the current main hospital in Watford.

The meeting follows a joint announcement in January from West Herts Hospital Trust (WHHT) and Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (HVCCG) that ruled out building a new A&E hospital due to insufficient funding. Campaigners have challenged the figures given for a new hospital and have cited the costs of other new hospitals recently built across the country.

The Trust have said they are limited to spending up to £350m on improvements. They claim this only leaves the option of refurbishing Watford General and improving St Albans and/or Hemel hospitals. The campaign group strongly challenge this ruling.

St Albans MP, Anne Main said, “It was a pleasure to meet with the group. They are extremely knowledgeable and have rightly raised several very important questions that are, as yet, unanswered.

“The decisions taken in the next few weeks and months on the future of healthcare in West Herts are incredibly important. We must ensure that whatever is decided will cater for the ever-growing population and we see a significant improvement in health care going forward.

“We must have clarity on costs. The Trust need to explain to people why they cannot afford a new hospital and why refurbishing the severely flawed Watford General Hospital is the best option for local people. Whatever happens, I will continue to fight to retain and significantly improve the services offered at St Albans Hospital.

“I will be writing to the Health Secretary following our meeting and I will be seeking answers to the important questions the group have continuously raised.”