West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

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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

08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day! 🎉

To mark , colleagues from across the Trust have taken part in a short “Pass the Mic” video celebrating the women around them.

Watch as we celebrate our brilliant women and the compassion, strength and inclusivity they bring to our teams every day 💙

06/03/2026

On Friday, colleagues came together ahead of the COVID‑19 Day of Reflection to remember those we lost during the pandemic and to honour the compassion and dedication shown by staff across West Herts and the NHS 💛

Led by our Spiritual and Pastoral Care Team, the service included reflections from representatives from the Trust.

A wreath was laid in memory of the lives lost during the pandemic, and our Spiritual and Pastoral Care Lead, Rev. Christian Damanka, reflected on the courage, kindness and resilience shown during the pandemic.

Thank you to all who joined us for this important moment of reflection.

05/03/2026

There’s a real buzz around Watford General as we prepare the site for our new hospital 🚧

The old Granger Suite is coming down, with nearly 80 cabins being lifted out and taken off site over the next few weeks, restored and reused elsewhere. We were also pleased to welcome local MP Matt Turmaine on site to see the progress up close.

This is just one part of a £12m programme of enabling works that includes new oxygen systems, key demolition work, and major ground investigations over the next 18 months, all paving the way for construction of our new hospital.

04/03/2026

Meet Michael Watts - an inspiring 100-year-old helping to shape the future of healthcare 💙

Michael recently became one of the oldest participants in our EXPLANTS research study by donating a blood sample to support work aimed at improving joint replacement care for generations to come.

The study, run in collaboration with ExplantLab in Newcastle, is exploring how implant materials interact with the immune system by analysing DNA, protein markers and tiny wear particles, to develop better tests and treatments for patients worldwide.

Michael’s incredible contribution shows the power of courage, generosity and a desire to help others. Even at 100, he serves as an inspiration to all, demonstrating that it is never too late to contribute to science.

Reflecting on his involvement, he said: “I hope my contribution helps improve medical science and benefits future generations.”

03/03/2026

Patients on our specialist dementia ward were recently treated to a joyful visit from local ukulele band, Liquorice 🎵

The group played a mix of well‑known songs, encouraging patients to sing and clap along.

Activities Coordinator Rachel Moloney said: “It was so lovely to see patients recalling the words, tapping their feet and clapping along to the beat. Relatives and staff really enjoyed the session.”

A huge thank you to Liquorice for bringing music to our patients on Oxhey ward! 💙

26/02/2026

Watford General Hospital is now extending its long‑established Newborn Life Support (NLS) training to paramedics from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, helping strengthen lifesaving care for babies both in the community and in hospital 👏

Dr Sankara Narayanan, Consultant Neonatologist, said: “This partnership enhances high‑quality, multidisciplinary newborn care. Our shared aim is to ensure every baby receives timely, effective support.”

Paramedics taking part say the course offers valuable insight into how hospital neonatal teams respond to emergencies, improving confidence during community call‑outs 💙

25/02/2026

We’re making it even easier for our Radiology patients at Watford General, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans City hospitals to share their feedback 📱

You can now complete the Friends and Family Test (FFT) via text message on a mobile phone – making giving feedback quicker and more convenient for you.

The FFT survey ask patients and their loved ones to rate our services and leave comments.

This new text-message option is an exciting improvement that gives patients more choice in how they share their views about care in Radiology while they are on site.

Well done to our Radiology team (pictured) for introducing this service and thank you to our patients for helping us to improve our services for everyone 🎉

24/02/2026

Bowel cancer screening saves lives by finding cancer early - often before symptoms appear.

Yet many people delay doing the test because they feel well or feel nervous about the idea of screening.

Our new series, ‘It’s OK to Ask’, tackles common questions and busts myths around sensitive health topics.

Our first video features clinicians Dr Sam Pannick and Bisi Adeoti, who answer the most common questions about bowel cancer screening.

The test is simple, arrives through your letterbox, and is quick and easy to do. It’s offered every two years to people aged 50 to 74.

👉 For more information, contact your GP or visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/bowel-cancer-screening/

23/02/2026

⭐ Our ‘Unsung Hero’ Darryl Harber has won a well-deserved West Herts Wonder Award! ⭐

Darryl, our brilliant Facilities Operations Manager for Hemel, St Albans and Jacketts Field, received four nominations from colleagues, showing a true reflection of how valued he is across the Trust.

Watch as Darryl receives his award from our Chair, Catherine Dugmore, surrounded by his proud colleagues.

After 15 years at West Herts, Darryl continues to go above and beyond. From improving environments for staff and patients to keeping teams informed and supported, he embodies our NHS values every day.

Thank you Darryl and congratulations! 👏

20/02/2026

We’re incredibly proud of Andrea Hone, our Carers Lead Nurse, who recently attended a Carers Reception at Windsor Castle hosted by King Charles 👏⭐

With 25 years’ experience in the NHS, including 18 at Watford General, Andrea leads support for unpaid carers across West Hertfordshire and champions staff with caring responsibilities.

Andrea said: “It was an absolute honour and privilege to be in attendance, representing West Herts, which was truly memorable.

“It was a hugely humbling experience, not only to have the opportunity to meet The King and the Duchess of Edinburgh, but I also had the opportunity to meet other representatives from carer organisations, carers and young carers – shining a spotlight that carers truly matter in all that they do.”

19/02/2026

Breast cancer can often take away so much, but our breast tattooing service is an opportunity to give something back 💙

We meet Sarah Page and Elisabeth Lodge, Macmillan Breast Care Nurse Specialists. They are making a big impact with such a small procedure, delivering ni**le and ar**la medical tattooing.

This is Inside the Heart of West Herts – a regular feature celebrating the people and the services that are at the core of our Trust.

18/02/2026

We've introduced the Patient Wellness Questionnaire (PWQ) as part of the rollout of Martha's Rule, giving patients, families and carers a clearer voice in their care 💙

As one of just 143 pilot hospitals selected to implement Martha’s Rule, the Trust is proud to be an early adopter, helping shape how the PWQ is used across the NHS.

The PWQ provides a structured way for families and carers to raise concerns if something doesn’t feel right.

Louise Bradbury, Advanced Practitioner and Acute Care Response Team Lead, said:

“We are committed to listening, supporting families, and providing safe, high-quality care. As an early adopter of Martha’s Rule, we’re helping shape national practice while keeping patient experience and safety at the heart of everything we do.”

Address

Vicarage Road
Watford
WD180HB

Website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/

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