A campaign group calling for a new hospital to be built in west Hertfordshire was backed by local members of Parliament as they met with NHS bosses in Westminster last week.

Members of the New Hospital Campaign, along with Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning, attended a meeting with Jim Mackey, chief executive of NHS Improvement, to put forward their proposal for a brand new hospital to be built on a greenfield site.

Graham Cartmell, of the campaign steering group, said: “It was a really constructive, open exchange.

“We felt they took note of our point that knocking out the new hospital option at this stage can’t be justified.”

Watford Observer:

Members of the New Hospital Campaign outside Portcullis House

The calls for a new hospital were also supported by St Albans MP Anne Main, who in a letter presented at the meeting said: “The present plan, rebuilding the crumbling hospital in a hard to reach, congested location on Vicarage Road in Watford over a long period up until 2030, with all the risk and disruption that would involve, is not a practical way forward.

“It cannot be a solution for the long term. The campaign has shown that a new hospital on a new site is a far more viable option and it must surely be examined thoroughly at the next stage.”

Under the current plans, the existing sites at Watford and St Albans would be redeveloped, rather than a new hospital be built.

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust says this is because the redevelopment option is cheaper and more practical.

Katie Fisher, chief executive of West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, commented: “NHS Improvement and NHS England are the two national bodies who are looking at our proposals in detail. We expect a high level of scrutiny, which is understandable given the sum of money involved.

“The bottom line is that we are committed to providing patient care from the best buildings and facilities possible. The communities we serve have waited a long time for much-needed improvements to our estate.

"We are keen to move on with this work and so await an update on the approvals process with bated breath.”