Watchdog data shows Watford General Rebuild won’t be completed until 2038
Data from the National Audit Office reveals that the long-awaited rebuild of Watford General Hospital is now not expected to be completed until at least 2038. This raises serious concerns about the Government’s commitment to Watford General Hospital and patient care in the area.
Data shows that 18 of the 40 schemes included in the New Hospital Programme will not be delivered for at least another 12 years. The NAO has also concluded that the programme will require an additional £56 billion in capital funding to complete, due to delays and the extended timescales now being applied.
Our local hospital has been placed significantly lower down the government’s priority list, with dozens of hospital rebuilds expected to be completed before work in Watford is finished.
Lib Dem Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “It is bitterly disappointing to see that the National Audit Office believes that the rebuild of Watford General won’t be completed for another 12 years.
“We have waited so long for this vital investment, and it is desperately needed now. Labour Ministers have decided to place the Watford scheme way done the priority list, with dozens of projects set to be completed before us. How can this be fair?
“With emerging plans to relocate Mount Vernon cancer services to Watford, the government needs to reconsider this timetable and release more funding now so that this project can be brought forward. Patients and hardworking NHS staff deserve much better facilities. Labour needs to deliver the new hospital they promised all of us.”
