West Hertfordshire NHS denies St Albans hospital closure

An NHS trust in Hertfordshire is reassuring residents of St Albans they will not lose their hospital entirely.

A review is under way into the future of hospitals in Watford, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans.

No decisions have yet been made and proposals for discussion will be published later in the year, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust said.

The trust has said healthcare would be provided from all three sites but some services would have to be centralised.

Chief executive Samantha Jones said services had to be "provided in a way which is both clinically and financially sustainable for the longer term" but said the public would be consulted on any changes.

Major expansion

St Albans Hospital carries out planned surgery and treatment for minor injuries as well as housing a a dialysis unit.

Plans have been published for a major expansion at Watford with the development of a health campus.

The trust said it was aware of residents' fears but said "St Albans Hospital is not about to close".