Minister and Watford MP shown latest on hospital rebuild

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Matthew Coats and chair Catherine Dugmore took the minister and Watford MP Matt Turmaine on a tour of the Vicarage Road site earlier this month.

They saw how £12m funding announced by the government in May is being used to improve services and prepare for construction of the new buildings, now set to begin in 2032 following repeat delays.

Karin Smyth MP and West Herts Trust Chief Executive Matthew Coats discuss the new hospital plans on a tour of the existing buildings (Image: Matt Turmaine MP) Ms Smyth said: “I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with our fantastic MP for Watford, Matt Turmaine, and the team at West Herts NHS Trust for a tour of Watford General Hospital.

“I was struck by the remarkable progress the team have made in improving services despite the state of the buildings." 

Watford MP Matt Turmaine and health minster Karin Smyth tour Watford General Hospital (Image: Matt Turmaine MP) She added: “I discussed with the team the current programme of enabling works, where we’re investing £12m clearing the site and moving key infrastructure. 

“The next phase is to progress with detailed design work later in 2025, prior to moving ahead with the main construction phase. 

Karin Smyth MP gets a bird eye view as West Herts Trust Chief Executive Matthew Coats points out where the new hospital will be built (Image: Matt Turmaine MP) “As we committed back in January this year, this is part of a serious, credible plan to build the hospitals that our NHS needs.”

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During the visit, the Labour MPs spoke with frontline teams on the Ridge Ward, which cares for elderly patients, and listened to those undergoing treatment speak on their experience.

They were also shown the award-winning virtual hospital which uses wearable technology to monitor and look after people from the comfort of their own homes.

Mr Coats said: “We very much appreciated the minister and Matt visiting us at Watford General today and meeting our wonderful staff and teams.

"We are fully committed to implementing the government’s exciting 10 Year Plan together with our partners to deliver the high-quality care people need and deserve.Watford MP Matt Turmaine and health minster Karin Smyth were shown a model of the new hospital (Image: Matt Turmaine MP)“We will continue to work closely with the New Hospital Programme on the Watford development.”

The government has been criticised since it announced work would not begin until 2032 in January, when it was previously meant to be up and running by 2030.

Labour argues that previous timetables were not realistic and has disputed earlier claims it was already fully funded.