Plans to rebuild Watford General Hospital have taken a major step forward after the government committed to fund close to £12 million on the scheme.
The money will be used to deliver the next phase of preparing the site for the new building along with funding a project team to drive forward this critical next stage of the project.
In January, the government announced its review into the New Hospital Programme (NHP) and provided a new timetable for delivering the schemes across the country. Ministers confirmed that Watford General would be funded and rebuilt.
Negotiations have been continuing with the NHP on two key aspects of our work: moving ahead with enabling works to prepare the site for the new building and retaining a project team to progress this.
Following confirmation this week that the NHP had committed £11.86 million for the next phase of works, Matthew Coats, chief executive of WHTH, said: “This marks a major step forward in our project and a sign of confidence from the government in our plans. We now have the money we need for this year to continue our preparations for the main build.
“The cash will be used to deliver new power supplies for the site, remove the Granger Ward, and demolish the Pathology and Medical Assessment Unit buildings to prepare for the next phase of the project.
“The funding will also support a project team to drive forward this critical next stage of redeveloping the hospital - something that many other schemes have not been granted and which to demonstrates a confidence and commitment in advancing the scheme.
“Huge progress has been made on the site over the last few years. We have the land to build on, our plans are well developed, and we have the support of local and national stakeholders. We want to be a position where we are ready to go if an earlier slot does become available – and agreeing the enabling works will help strengthen our case further. We’re working in close partnership with the NHP, and the relationship remains positive and constructive.”