Hospital bosses have been warned the shift of emergency services from Hemel Hempstead to Watford has 'the makings of a crisis'.
Mahdi Hasan, a non-executive director at West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust, raised doubts about the level of planning behind the move at a board meeting.
The trust intends to close full A&E in Hemel Hempstead on October 1 when a new £40million casual
ty department opens at Watford General Hospital.
Mr Hasan said the trust's reputation would be damaged if the mistakes that plagued the centralisation of planned surgery in St Albans were repeated.
"We have got the makings of a crisis," he warned.
"This project schedule is very tight – we don't have much margin for error.
"If we repeat what happened in St Albans our reputation will be out the window."
Services will be removed from Hemel Hempstead Hospital in phases between May and October.
The town will be left with a minor injuries unit open 24 hours a day and run by GPs, diagnostic facilities and probably a single ward of
intermediate care beds.
Betty Harris, a member of the Dacorum Hospital Action Group, told the meeting: "It's quite clear Hemel Hospital is to be closed and replaced with a health centre."
Trust chairman Thomas Hanahoe said: "The stakes are high and its absolutely critically important that this project is delivered as we
intend to deliver it.
"It's our intention not to vacate facilities until new facilities are up and running.
"We understand concerns about the way the changes have not been favourable to Hemel – that is history.
"Our plans are still on track and we have no reason to change them."
The shifting of planned surgery to St Albans led to 40 operations being cancelled every week because theatre staff left rather than make the move.
Private hospitals had to be used for surgery at great expense to the NHS, but the situation is now improving.
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