Local Watford MP welcomes Health and Social Care Secretary to Watford General Hospital

Dean Russell MP helped to secure full funding for a new state-of-the-art hospital in Watford. The Secretary of State for Health visited the hospital after the successful funding allocation, demonstrating the priority Watford holds for the government.  
  
Dean has been supported along the way by local residents, who are delighted that they will have a brand new state of the art hospital in their town. The Secretary of State for Health's visit included a full tour of the hospital and the innovative virtual ward.  
  
The new hospital promises to be a centre of healthcare excellence, providing a cutting-edge facility for both staff and patients. The hospital staff, who have worked tirelessly, need to be recognised for their unwavering commitment to supporting patients in their care. Their commitment to delivering high-quality care has been instrumental in the success of this funding announcement. 
 
Commenting on the visit, Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins said:  
‘I was delighted to meet staff at Watford General Hospital working in high tech control rooms monitoring every aspect of the care provided, as well as nurses working on virtual wards which deliver the highest quality care to people, digitally from the comfort of their own home.   
 
The town will also benefit from a new hospital – so far backed by over £50 million in government funding – which will also help thousands of patients across the region.  
 
It is wonderful news for the local community that early work is already underway to prepare the site ahead of construction due to start at the end of 2026, and that doors will open to patients at the end of the decade’.   
  
Following the visit Dean said, ‘I would like to thank the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care for personally visiting Watford General and to see the transformational plans for the new hospital. The announcement last year that we have the full funding has meant the Trust’s team have been able to get plans ready for, what will become, a state of the art new hospital fit for the 21st Century. 
 
Along with inviting the Prime Minister last year to see the progress first hand, these visits ensure investment and support for our town continues to be a priority for Government. The success with the new hospital is proof of this.   
 
Thanks to all local residents that shared feedback and support so far. I intend to continue to engage actively to make sure local residents and patients voices are heard as part of the process moving forward’.