Campaigners calling for a new hospital suffered another blow this week when the findings of a review of possible sites were published.

In truth, even the most persistent campaigners will probably tell you they are not surprised but they will be disappointed. It is good news that we are going to get such a huge and much-needed investment in our hospital facilities.

But the positivity is overshadowed by the battle in the background about how the money should be spent.

The idea of investment in the NHS in west Hertfordshire has been going on for years and years - but the funding has never been there, until now. 

Watford is a growing town and is only going to get bigger but the level of development in Hemel Hempstead is also eye-popping.

Ideally, we’d like to two major hospitals, or more, but the funding sadly is unlikely ever to stretch that far.

Before, it was all about the money, but even senior health bosses may well be stunned by how much they may have to play with - even if they say it still isn’t enough.

But now it seems to be less about the money and more about time - which is a lot tighter.

The 2025 completion deadline from the Government is not far off but many will be grateful the deadline is so soon because people and the amazing hospital staff want state-of-the-art facilities.

There is a judicial review to contend with this autumn as well meaning decisions made by the NHS in west Hertfordshire will be scrutinised by the courts - no one knows what the findings from this review will be.

We all want what’s best for west Herts but infighting must not come at the risk of losing the dream altogether.