West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (WHTH) has launched a five-year plan which includes the building of various new facilities:
- A new state-of-the-art hospital at Watford General Hospital
- A new elective care hub at St Albans for planned operations
- Hemel Hempstead will become a focal point for chronic and complex care treatment
Redeveloping Watford General Hospital is one of the biggest projects of its kind anywhere in the UK, with building work expected to get underway in 2025.
Also, the government confirmed last year the Watford General Hospital redevelopment would be fully funded and the five-year strategy was approved by the Trust’s board at a public meeting in April.
Along with the huge redevelopment plans, the new strategy emphasises how a similar transformation will also need to take place in how services are delivered to meet the changing needs of local communities.
The Trust will increasingly work as a single team with a wide range of other partners to design and deliver services that extend beyond the hospital’s walls, helping to provide proactive, preventative care that reduces dependency on hospital services.
Redeveloping Watford General Hospital is one of the biggest projects of its kind anywhere in the UK
Investment in technology and modernising patient services will be another key priority, as the Trust looks to further harness the use of data to more effectively manage services and put patients in greater control of their health records and appointments.
The Trust is already widely seen as one of the most advanced in the UK for embracing technology, establishing itself as a leader in the adoption of robotic surgery.
Its award-winning virtual hospital, which allows patients to be cared and monitored from the comfort of their own home, will be expanded.
Further, more than 50,000 people have enrolled on the patient portal, which makes it easier for patients to book, change and cancel appointments, access personalised advice on health conditions and interact with their care team.
Phil Townsend, Chair of WHTH, said: “Our ambitious plans build on the many outstanding successes our teams across West Herts have delivered over recent years.”
This isn’t just about buildings, it’s just as importantly about how we deliver services and work together in partnership
“I’m hugely proud of the care, dedication and passion our colleagues deliver every single day for patients and this plan will ensure we continue to progress and improve in every single area,” Townsend concluded.
Matthew Coats, Chief Executive of WHTH, added: “Despite the enormous challenges the NHS faces I’m full of hope and excitement for the future.”
“The next five years will be truly transformational with a new hospital at Watford General, a new elective care hub at St Albans and redeveloping services at Hemel Hempstead,” Coats continued.
“But this isn’t just about buildings, it’s just as importantly about how we deliver services and work together in partnership to provide the best possible care our local communities need both now and in the future,” Coats concluded.
