David Taylor MP on health for Dacorum – Action Group responds

23 April 2025
|In News, News Updates
|By philip
    • David Taylor, MP for Hemel Hempstead, has written to a number of constituents who have asked him about health and hospital issues
    • Mr Taylor calls for a community hospital for Hemel Hempstead, which would be a good result for the town and the Borough of Dacorum. That is something that DHAG would firmly support.
    • However the letter also makes a number of statements which are open to challenge, including:
    • Mr Taylor says the Hemel Health Campus for the Market Square ‘is the best outcome for the residents of Hemel Hempstead. It is the only offer available’. This is premature. The case for closing Hemel Hempstead Hospital and replacing it with a Health Campus must be officially tested before any decision is made. There must be engagement with the public before the necessary investment is approved.  Those are the Treasury rules.
    • Mr Taylor claims ‘Hemel Hempstead Hospital is not fit for 21st century healthcare. The buildings are in disrepair’. This is exaggerated. The Verulam Building is relatively new – about 30 years old – and contains purpose-built hospital accommodation, which is badly underused. There may well be a case for the Market Square campus but it is very important for the public to hear the arguments. It is vital that our hospital services are not limited by the size of the plot on which they are provided.
    • Mr Taylor says ‘Delaying or starting over with this project (the plan to rebuild Watford General) could push healthcare improvements for Hemel Hempstead back by at least 10 years’. Where is the evidence for this statement? The rebuild of Watford General is completely separate from the Hemel project. The start of any Watford rebuild is delayed until 2032 at least and its costs are out of control. The New Hospital Campaign would like to see a proper exploration of alternatives to the Watford project which would almost certainly be cheaper and may be finished quicker.
    • Please click on the line below to see Mr Taylor’s letter:
    • D Taylor letter 23 April