***SOS*** 2007 to 2003 Going back in time, government does a U-turn on Hatfield Hospital; but now at last we will have a new general hospital in Welwyn Garden City

Councillor Quinton at the QEII.

In 2002 the then Beds and Herts Strategic Health Authority (SHA) conducted a full strategic review of hospital provision across the two counties. In response to changing health needs in the 21st century, it was recognised that a reconfiguration of services would be required, and despite local resistance to downgrading certain district general hospitals, the resulting plan achieved widespread and cross-party support.

Central to the strategy was the building of a new "super" hospital at the old deHavilland site in Hatfield, which would house a major cancer centre, and would have links with the University of Hertfordshire (UH) which plans to develop its faculty of medicine. It would also link into the plan for a major Japanese pharmaceutical company to build its headquarters on an adjacent plot, providing all the ingredients for a successful centre of medical excellence.

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For new developments with regard to hospital provision for this area, watch this space.