Sir Mike Penning MP urges Trust to ensure site feasibility study into new hospital in West Hertfordshire is fair

Sir Mike Penning MP is backing hospital campaigners’ calls for the West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust to make sure their new Independent Site Feasibility Study is fair to all sites.

The Trust has commissioned RFL Property Services to provide an Independent Site Feasibility Study and Valuation Advice to support their Outline Business Case for the redevelopment of acute hospital facilities in the West Hertfordshire area.

The study will consider four sites, but the existing Vicarage Road site (the site occupied by Watford General Hospital) is not included.

Earlier, we revealed how campaigners for a new hospital in West Hertfordshire had given the funding news a cautious welcome.Sir Mike is backing campaigners who believe all five sites should be compared on an equal basis.

He said: “To be really fair, the Trust clearly should consider the advantages and disadvantages on the same basis – including the existing site next to Watford Football Club.

“We need a new hospital on a new site to serve the towns of Hemel Hempstead, Watford and St Albans equally. Common sense suggests that it would also be quicker and easier to build on a new site – rather than try to renovate Watford General Hospital whilst keeping it operational.

“I have no view as to which site is better. I have always been open to any suggestion as long as it is easily accessible to all three major towns.”

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