Sponsored by
Wife's three-hour hell to reach hospital
Match-day gridlock meant an epic three-hour journey for Berkhamsted author Jean Ritchie as she rushed to her husband's bedside in Watford Hospital.
Ms Ritchie, whose journey would have taken 15 minutes if Hemel Hempstead Hospital still had the necessary facilities, was forced to contend with thousands of football fans heading to a match at Vicarage Road stadium next to Watford Hospital.
The former Sun journalist, who wrote an acclaimed book on Moors murderer Myra Hindley, said: "It was just chaotic - total gridlock and there was nowhere to go. I was very upset and began welling up out of sheer frustration."
Her terminally-ill husband, David Francis, also a former journalist, was being treated in hospital for a broken hip when his wife was called in by medical staff.
After sitting in stationary traffic for hours, Ms Ritchie, of Torrington Road, was told by police the road leading to the hospital was closed because of the football game.
She tried to find an alternative route and follow diversion signs, but like many residents in Dacorum was unfamiliar with the area.
Eventually, after arguing with a police officer she was allowed to travel down Vicarage Road, which is for the use of ambulances only during games.
Reflecting on the experience, Ms Ritchie said Watford was unprepared for new patients coming from the Dacorum area, especially when football matches were on.
"If there is going to be this new 'super hospital' why are we closing Hemel before it has even been built?" she asked.
Hospital spokesman Jean Hickman, said: "Access for patients, visitors and staff to all the trust's hospital sites is a very important issue and the trust is making improvements through ongoing discussions with the local ambulance service and transport providers.
"We sympathise that it took so long for Ms Ritchie to get here, especially with her husband being so acutely ill."
She said the hospital was hoping to open a new road with the construction of a health campus, but this would not start for several years.
During the summer break, Hertfordshire Highways teamed up with Watford Football Club to try to improve diversion routes and introduced signage to re- direct drivers trying to get to the hospital.
"We have long been aware of match-day traffic woes for people trying to get to Watford General Hospital and it was our goal to improve the situation," said County Councillor Stuart Pile, executive member for highways, transport and rural affairs.
He added: "With the hospital being home to the area's accident and emergency unit and maternity department, it is extremely important that diversion signs are as clear as possible."
However, Ms Ritchie claimed the diversion signs sent her round in circles.
Mr Francis is now out of hospital and recuperating in a Berkhamsted rehabilitation centre following the operation.
CLICK HERE to tell us your news and views on the news
To see what others are saying online, CLICK HERE
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
