Steps toward agreeing future of hospital services

Major steps were taken towards agreeing the future of hospital services in west Hertfordshire. About 80 stakeholders of Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – including patient representatives and local clinicians – gathered to hear about and discuss the options that are being taken forward. Following a period of extensive and detailed discussions with groups of local people, the CCG have decided to take forward an approach that retains services on the existing Watford and St Albans hospital sites. This includes the possibility of a complete rebuild of Watford General Hospital. There were calls to cut Watford and St Albans services and build a new hospital to support both towns. A spokesperson for the CCG explained: “Following the analysis of options against criteria we examined the likely costs of the different approaches and were mindful of the current financial climate and the low levels of capital funding likely to be forthcoming. “Some stakeholders wanted us to pursue the option for a new hospital on a greenfield site near Junction 20 of the M25. Work we have carried out so far suggests that this would not be the best way forward either in terms of costs or other benefits such as travel times, but we are going to do some additional analysis in the coming weeks to review some of the data and costs in order to be sure we are right not to include this option in the next stage of the process.” Dr Nicolas Small, chair of CCG, said: “In order to be in a position to make a case for some essential capital investment, we need a credible and realistic plan. I really think we have one here and I am glad. “I understand that this might be disappointing for those who were hoping for a hospital on a different site – but I hope everyone can rally behind the approach and all work together to achieve the best we can for the people of west Hertfordshire.” Hear more about what’s happening in your local community in the November edition of My Watford News, which will be distributed on November 11.