Watford General rebuild could be ‘one of the biggest hospital building failures’

A vastly experienced building expert has warned plans to rebuild Watford General Hospital could lead to a massive and very expensive ‘building failure’.

The dire warning came in a letter to Hemel Hempstead MP David Taylor from Bob Scott,  a former senior executive of major construction and property development companies. His experience covered many NHS hospital projects as well as other major building projects.

In the letter Mr Scott, a member of the New Hospital Campaign:

• SLAMMED the decision to press ahead with rebuilding Watford General as being driven by political considerations rather than public need,
• WARNED that extensive demolition, civil engineering works and removal of contaminated soil would bring ‘adverse environmental conditions’ for patients in Watford General wards,
• POINTED TO the risk of high construction costs from building very tall tower blocks at Watford.

Mr Scott concluded:

I fear that, as matters stand, if the Trust’s redevelopment proposals proceed, they have all the ingredients to result in one of the biggest hospital building failures the country has experienced.

Mr Scott’s letter is below:

Letter as sent to D Taylor MP 12 Aug 24