West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust NHS Trust managing Watford General, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans City Hospitals. Our vision is 'Excellent patient care, together'.

View our social media house rules - https://bit.ly/social-house-rules West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. The Trust also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hertfordshire. As an employer of over 5,000 people, the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.

*This page contains information for both staff and users of West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust and anyone with an interest in healthcare.

*This is not a referral system. If you have a health-related problem or concern, please contact your GP.

*If you have questions regarding appointments or a patient in our hospitals, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). You can find contact information here: https://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/patientservices/pals.asp

We’ve been crowned ’Trust of the Year’ in this year’s Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards! 🎉We are also double award win...
21/11/2025

We’ve been crowned ’Trust of the Year’ in this year’s Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards! 🎉

We are also double award winners – also taking home the prize in the ‘Performance Recovery’ category.

Judges praised the Trust’s 'remarkable performance turnaround in multiple areas.’

Our win in both categories recognises remarkable progress in improving and innovating on behalf of our patients in what are widely regarded as the most prestigious recognition of healthcare excellence in the UK.

Matthew Coats, our chief executive, said winning the double, was recognition for the incredible hard work, dedication and passion of teams across the Trust.

"Everything we do is driven by a sense of public service and supporting our local communities - so we're there for them when they need us most.

"I'm immensely proud of the progress we've made together as a Trust."

But the work doesn’t stop here – we will continue to be relentless in our approach to deliver and improve care for our patients and communities.

We’re shortlisted in the Trust of the Year and Performance Recovery categories in tonight’s Health Service Journal Award...
20/11/2025

We’re shortlisted in the Trust of the Year and Performance Recovery categories in tonight’s Health Service Journal Awards 👏

These awards are widely regarded as the most prestigious recognition of healthcare excellence in the UK and these nominations reflect the amazing progress our teams have made over recent years.

None of these achievements would have been possible without our colleagues’ passion, expertise and dedication. Our staff are driven by the same purpose of delivering outstanding care for our patients.

Whatever happens we’re hugely proud of our teams and the progress we’ve made together, and we are keeping our fingers crossed for tonight!

We are delighted to announce that our Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) team has been awarded the NHS England Antibiotic S...
19/11/2025

We are delighted to announce that our Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) team has been awarded the NHS England Antibiotic STAR Award 2025! 👏

This is a national recognition of exceptional leadership and the outstanding work taking place across West Herts to promote safe, effective and responsible antimicrobial use.

Over the past years, our collective efforts have led to a sustained reduction in total antibiotic consumption. These improvements demonstrate the impact of strong clinical engagement, robust stewardship processes and exceptional teamwork across our wards, clinical services and pharmacy teams.

Dr Hala Kandil, Microbiology Consultant and AMS Lead, said: “I am incredibly proud of our team for achieving this award. It recognises the commitment, expertise and day-to-day hard work that goes into protecting our patients from antimicrobial resistance.”

The announcement comes as we mark World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) this week.

Dr Kandil is pictured, left, with pharmacist Kirstin Man. Well done to everyone involved!

We received a very special delivery recently - a bundle of handwritten thank you letters from a local primary school chi...
17/11/2025

We received a very special delivery recently - a bundle of handwritten thank you letters from a local primary school children, who joined us at Watford General Hospital to mark World Patient Safety Day on 17 September 💙

Thirty pupils, aged 7 to 8, took part in a series of fun and educational sessions at Watford General designed to help them understand how to stay safe and care for others.

The children enjoyed interactive first aid bingo, learning key skills that could help them in everyday life.

They also took part in a special session run by Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, which covered home safety, when to call 999, and included a memorable ‘stop, drop and roll’ drill that proved a big hit with the class.

The children later sent beautifully written thank you letters, describing their favourite moments and what they had learned during their visit, from practising first aid to fire safety skills.

Thank you to all the children for their enthusiasm and willingness to learn 👏

Patients on Oxhey ward at Watford General have been busy over the past weeks making poppies for a ward display as part o...
13/11/2025

Patients on Oxhey ward at Watford General have been busy over the past weeks making poppies for a ward display as part of Remembrance Day 💙

Our dementia patients on the ward were supported by Activities Coordinator, Rachel Moloney, to assemble the poppies and decorate a wreath to commemorate the day.

Activities such as these are especially important for dementia and delirium patients as they provide individuals with an opportunity to take part in a social activity with other patients.

Rachel creates many opportunities for patients to get involved in craft making and similar activities. These promote wellbeing, a sense of purpose and allows patients to share any experiences they have associated to the activity.

➡️ Did you know that you can donate to help support these types of activities? Your donation can help our West Herts Hospitals Charity raise funds to create a dedicated activity room on Oxhey ward. This new space will provide a calming and dedicated environment for therapeutic and stimulating activities.

Find our more on our Charity's website: bit.ly/49Sobej

As part of Remembrance, we reflect on the service and dedication of our Armed Forces and their families. Louise Jane, a...
12/11/2025

As part of Remembrance, we reflect on the service and dedication of our Armed Forces and their families.

Louise Jane, a former RAF Nursing Officer and now military spouse, shares her perspective on the unique experiences of the Armed Forces community:

“Though I left the military three and a half years ago, I remain connected to service life as a military spouse. With my husband often deployed overseas at short notice, I juggle work and parenting our two young children. This dual perspective has given me insight into the unique experiences of the Armed Forces community....

Veterans and military families can face specific challenges, and it’s important to provide support that meets their needs and recognises their service.”

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has been awarded Veteran Aware Accreditation by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance, recognising our commitment to providing high-quality care for veterans, reservists, and their families.

We proudly came together today to mark Remembrance Day. A service took place at Watford General Hospital, where many col...
11/11/2025

We proudly came together today to mark Remembrance Day.

A service took place at Watford General Hospital, where many colleagues from around the site joined to pay their respects, reflect, and remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community.

Revd Christian Damanka, Spiritual and Pastoral Care Lead, led the service with a reflection. A wreath was laid by Chief Executive, Matthew Coats, and Chief People Officer, Saira Shah - followed by a two-minute silence and the Last Post.

Wreaths will also be laid at Hemel Hempstead Hospital and St Albans City Hospital.

⚠️Resident doctors will strike from 7am on Friday 14 November to 7am on Wednesday 19 November 2025 ⚠️➡️ Our hospitals wi...
11/11/2025

⚠️Resident doctors will strike from 7am on Friday 14 November to 7am on Wednesday 19 November 2025 ⚠️

➡️ Our hospitals will remain open during the strike.

➡️ Please attend your appointment as planned unless you hear from us and continue to come forward for the care you need.

➡️ For non-urgent care, please use alternative services such as NHS 111, your GP, or pharmacies. In emergencies, call 999.

A huge THANK YOU to the incredible The Buddy Bag Foundation for their generous donation of 'Buddy Bags' for our young pa...
07/11/2025

A huge THANK YOU to the incredible The Buddy Bag Foundation for their generous donation of 'Buddy Bags' for our young patients at West Herts!🧸

These special backpacks are packed with essential items like toiletries, pyjamas, and underwear, plus items like a book and a teddy bear. The goal is to provide children with something they can call their own, no matter where they are.

The Buddy Bags are being given to our young patients across our Starfish Children's Ward and Children's Outpatients, bringing some comfort to our smallest patients! ❤️

Would you like to support our charity to provide a more welcoming and supportive environment for children and their families at our hospitals? Help us create child-friendly waiting areas with the Charity’s Children’s Outpatients Appeal: https://whhc.org.uk/appeals/childrens-outpatients-appeal

06/11/2025

Our West Herts Wonder recognition celebrates the people who go above and beyond every day to make a difference for our patients, colleagues and community.

This week, we’re shining a light on our Theatre Support Workers at Watford General Hospital. The team is known for their exceptional care, professionalism and teamwork.

Working in one of the busiest and most demanding environments, they ensure our nursing, medical and AHP colleagues have everything they need to deliver safe, high-quality care. Their adaptability, attention to detail and calm under pressure play a vital role in maintaining patient safety throughout every procedure.

We’re proud to recognise their skill, dedication and commitment, qualities that truly make them West Herts Wonders. 💙

While has been spotlighted for her work at Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank, West Herts Libraries have been championing sust...
05/11/2025

While has been spotlighted for her work at Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank, West Herts Libraries have been championing sustainability by sharing and swapping seeds.

Have you grown something amazing from seeds? Share your photos with us using 🌸

Small actions can have a big environmental impact! 🌱

A huge congratulations to our 22 Nursing Associate and Nursing Degree apprenticeship graduates! 🎉This is our largest gro...
03/11/2025

A huge congratulations to our 22 Nursing Associate and Nursing Degree apprenticeship graduates! 🎉

This is our largest group of graduates to date, and we marked the occasion with a celebration event attended by the Deputy Chief Nurse, Melanie Chambers, along with the Nurse Education team - who have supported the learners throughout their journey.

Well done to our apprentices for their dedication, hard work and invaluable contribution to the nursing profession.

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Vicarage Road
Watford
WD180HB

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