I was very interested to read online Mike Jackson’s letter regarding the underfunding of the NHS and in particular the poor state of Watford General Hospital (Challenges facing hospitals, Letters, January 18).

READ MORE: Letter: Challenges facing hospitals

Firstly, I would like to remind Mr Jackson that Watford General Hospital is West Herts’ only A&E hospital and shouldn’t be seen as only serving Watford’s residents.

Secondly, the question of underfunding of the NHS has been a concern for decades and Mr Jackson shouldn’t use the current state of hospital buildings for political gain.

Yes, we all know Watford is a marginal seat but in my opinion, all three main parties should be backing a long-term solution that avoids years of redevelopment and inconvenience. I ask Mr Jackson and other fellow supporters of redevelopment - how will Watford General Hospital continue to operate whilst large scale demolition and construction work is undertaken over 15 years modernising Watford General Hospital? The Vicarage Road site is relatively small, is very old and from my understanding it isn’t even clear that major redevelopment can be undertaken without great risk to underground services being destabilised in other areas of the hospital estate that would remain live for patient services.

Why shouldn’t West Herts have a brand new and more accessible acute services hospital and retain the current sites for outpatient, diagnostics and day treatment? Local politicians tell new hospital campaigners to stop dreaming - West Herts Hospital Trust are in financial crisis and redevelopment is more affordable and will be ready sooner. That is also the line that West Herts Hospitals Tryst, Herts Valleys CCG and local patient groups support. I have to ask the question - why are they all singing from the same hymn sheet when the case for building a new A&E hospital is overwhelming?

Full redevelopment of Watford General Hospital will cost at least £600 million and by the time it is finished in at least 15 years, West Herts Hospital Trust will have additional 150 000 residents to cater for.

Sandwell and West Birmingham hospital trust are currently building a new acute services hospital, Midland Metropolitan Hospital, with 670 beds for a cost of £475 million with the majority of the funding coming directly from the government. The new Midland Metropolitan Hospital would have cost £300-350 million but for the demise of the construction company Carillion, which left the hospital half built. A new acute hospital could also be ready in 7 years and be built to cope with the expected population growth for West Herts. Having a new A&E hospital for emergencies and specialised care would simplify the care process as emergency patient care would not be competing with non-urgent care within the same buildings and site. A new A&E hospital would also be built to current NHS standards and environmental regulations which in the long-term would reduce running costs and leave more money for treatment and staffing.

Surely a brand new and purpose built state of the art hospital is something everyone should be calling for including our local politicians. Why are they arguing for redevelopment? It is clearly a more disruptive and second best option to building a brand new A&E hospital.

Building a new acute services hospital and developing the current hospital sites for the needs of the local community is surely the model that makes most sense, is more affordable and could be achieved in half the time. To add to this, a new A&E hospital would provide the best infection control with the majority of beds being in single rooms, attract the best doctors and nurses and provide the best working conditions for staff to work in, cutting the need for expensive and revolving agency staff. A new A&E hospital could be built on a level site, enjoy good car parking and good access for buses and taxis. There could also be the possibility of including an air ambulance landing area within the site design.

A new acute services hospital would transform West Herts hospital care for generations to come and save money because it would be built on a clear site from scratch. Any builder or construction company would understand the benefits that this approach would bring.

I urge Mr Jackson and all West Herts’ local politicians to study the Sandwell and West Birmingham hospital trust’s model for transformation of hospital care and then tell me why the long-winded and costly redevelopment of current hospital sites is a better option!

Andy Love

By email