Matt Turmaine, MP for Watford, has responded to criticism following the news that Watford General Hospital’s rebuild will be delayed until 2032 at the earliest.
The Watford General Hospital rebuild was first announced in the New Hospital Programme (NHP) by the previous Conservative government in 2019, as one of 40 new hospitals across the country. But yesterday (Monday, January 20), Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting MP revealed that the reconstruction of Watford General Hospital has been delayed to at least 2032.
Speaking to Watford News, Matt Turmaine MP said: “We said we would rebuild Watford Hospital and that is what we are doing.
“The Conservatives’ so-called ‘fully-funded’ scheme to rebuild the hospital was, it turned out, nothing of the sort as they knew all along and has become apparent – a disgraceful deception. They hoodwinked people into believing the money was there when it never was. They crashed the economy and unforgivably knowingly lied to Watford residents.
“Labour is picking up the pieces of their inexcusable irresponsibility and disastrous inheritance. Everything in this country is broken. The Conservatives have to shoulder the blame for this delay.
“They had 14 years and failed. But we will get there. Looking to the future, it will be built thanks to Labour’s planned and phased approach. There is now a proper, considered and achievable timetable with pre-construction work commencing in 2028.”
Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor also responded to the news, saying that the delay was “incredibly disappointing” and that the Labour party had “broken promises”.
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