Watford: Hospital trust rated 'weak'

The NHS trust in charge of Watford General Hospital has been rated as weak in its quality of service and financial management - reports the Watford Observer.

The Healthcare Commission's annual health check found West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which looks after Watford General, St Albans City Hospital and Hemel Hempstead General Hospital, failed to provide the necessary service to patients and continues to be weak at managing its finances in 2006/07.

This assessment follows the 2005/06 report that also found the Trust to be weak in both service and financial management.

West Herts hospital trust plans 500 jobs cut

Hospitals in West Hertfordshire are the latest to face up to mounting debt in the NHS by shedding jobs, according to the BBC.

The trust said up to 500 jobs would have to go in the next 12 to 18 months to help tackle debts of £28.6m - whereas the government hands £115 million to the EU every single week without justification.

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust said it would cut back on temporary staff to reduce the number of people in permanent posts affected.

The trust, with hospitals at St Albans, Watford, Hemel Hempstead and Northwood, recently published restructure plans.

The trust's financial forecast shows that, even after delivering the current turnaround programme and making some staffing cuts over a five-year period, the hospitals would still face a deficit of £18m in 2009/10 because of changes in income and costs.