Exciting news for Watford as plans for the hospital rebuild may kick off earlier than anticipated
Watford: Big news is brewing about the Watford General Hospital rebuild. The government recently shared a new timeline for hospital projects, and it looks like Watford might get a jumpstart.
Initially, they thought construction would kick off around 2025, but it got pushed back to between 2032 and 2034. However, at a recent meeting, Paul Burstow, who heads the local healthcare board, mentioned some promising updates.
He pointed out that unlike other projects, Watford is still moving forward with some preliminary work. There’s even a chance they could get the hospital built sooner than the government’s latest announcement suggests.
Burstow highlighted that the plans for the hospital are pretty advanced, and they have the land and permissions needed to keep things rolling. If the stars align, they might just speed things up.
He acknowledged that it might seem like a long shot, but he believes there’s a real chance to get the hospital built faster. Meanwhile, Watford’s mayor, Peter Taylor, raised some eyebrows about why the hospital is so low on the priority list.
He expressed concerns about accepting the government’s reasoning regarding budget constraints. Taylor pointed out that Watford has the land and planning permissions ready, while the current hospital is in dire need of repairs.
He argued that it’s frustrating to see the hospital ranked 24th out of 40 on the list when there’s so much potential for improvement. Others, like Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, echoed these sentiments, suggesting the NHS needs to think long-term.
With new housing developments on the horizon, he worries that the existing hospital buildings won’t last another nine years. It’s a tricky situation, and many are left wondering how much more money will be needed before the new hospital finally opens its doors.
