Grayson: local input on hospital still lacking

10.17.00am GMT Fri 27th Nov 2009

Commenting on the news that the Board of NHS West Hertfordshire has identified the Hillfield Road hospital site as its preferred location for the development of the future 'Local General Hospital' in Hemel, Dr Richard Grayson said:

I think lots of local people will be looking at this decision with amazement. Of course, this still falls way short of what local people have campaigned for over decades. It always will fall short of what they want until the government sets up a system that allows them to elect the people who make big decisions on our hospital services.

Moreover, I think there will be some scepticism over whether these plans will be implemented given the state of public finances. A lot of this is going to depend on how far and how quickly the economy recovers, because ultimately that influences how much money can go into the NHS.