Time is running out for members of the public who want to play a crucial part in the redevelopment of healthcare and hospital services in west Hertfordshire.

West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust has received £400 million investment from the Government to improve its facilities at its hospitals in Watford, St Albans, and Hemel Hempstead.

The hospital board trust signalled last summer, before the bid had been approved by Government, that most of the money would be spent on refurbishing an 'ageing' Watford General Hospital.

However, there are campaigners, particularly in Hemel Hempstead, who are fighting for a new hospital in a "more central location" to all of Watford, Hemel, and St Albans.

Although the trust has ruled out this option, claiming a new hospital would be "too expensive" to build, no final decisions have yet been made on how the £400m will be spent.

However, the trust does aim to open new hospital buildings in 2025 and despite the current pandemic, the redevelopment plans are firmly at the forefront of the trust's priorities.

What is the stakeholders reference group (SRG)?

The deadline is looming to be part of the hospital trust's stakeholders reference group.

Now funding has been secured, the trust has to put together an 'outline business case' which is a more detailed application of the trust's proposals.

This outline business case will help to ensure the hospital is building facilities which meet the local population's needs and the future models of care.

A detailed design and all of the costs attached to the development also need to be agreed before a planning application can be submitted.

But the trust wants the public to be directly involved in these plans.

The stakeholders reference group can advise the board, give feedback, and comment on plans.

The stakeholders reference group will sit in on meetings and be involved in discussions.

However, it will not be involved in making any decisions.

Who exactly is the trust looking for?

The trust wants people from all backgrounds to get involved and people from across Watford, Hemel, and St Albans.

You do not need to have any particular experience to put yourself forward to be a member of the SRG.

Anyone wanting to be involved should be prepared to give up time to ensure they are a continuous part of the process.

How do I get involved?

You have until Tuesday (June 9) to apply to be a part of the group.

You must fill out this form from this link- https://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/about/redevelopment/ (can be found by clicking 'Find out how you can get involved')

The form must then be emailed by June 9 (midnight) to westherts.redevelopment@nhs.net

To find out more about the reference group, visit https://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/about/redevelopment/documents/Stakeholder_Reference_Group_TOR.pdf or https://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/about/redevelopment/