The Secretary of State for Health has said the government will have to wait for the “local plans to emerge” before committing support for a new hospital building in Watford.

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health, visited Watford General Hospital this afternoon.

When asked whether the government would support a new building at the Vicarage Road hospital, the Tory Minister said: “We have been up at a new hospital A and E in Lister earlier today.

“We are investing in new hospital facilities.

“In terms of what happens here in Watford, we will have to wait until the plans emerge.”

The trust’s Clinical Strategy Review was due to be published last month, but this has not happened yet.

Mr Hunt visited the Bluebell Ward at the hospital, which looks after patients suffering from dementia and he was shown round the Accident and Emergency unit.

He then held a question and answer session with staff.

The minister said: “I am here today because tackling dementia has been a big aim for David Cameron and the government and I have heard they have an excellent dementia unit here.

“I am also here because this is a hospital that has been dramatically improving the standard of care.”