Partnership makes progress on Health Campus

Cabinet has recommended the allocation of £200,000 to fund our share of the costs for the next stage of feasibility work on a future Health Campus in Hemel Hempstead.

The Hemel Health Campus proposals aim to provide space for the delivery of NHS services within more modern, fit for purpose premises at the heart of Hemel Hempstead town centre. The proposed Campus is intended to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in the Dacorum area and beyond.

Construction of the new healthcare facility on the Market Square site – a vacant town centre space in need of regeneration – could also provide improvements to the public realm and the overall appearance of the town centre, increasing footfall and supporting local businesses in Hemel.

The next stage of work will also explore whether other development, such as new housing, retail and café uses could be possible as well.

Dacorum Borough Council, Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (HWE ICB) and West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (WHTH) are the main partners for this project.

If approved, funding from all three partner organisations will be used to develop a business case which will consider what services could be accommodated, whether the site being considered is the optimal one, a cost review, delivery model options and land valuations.

Sheron Wilkie, our Portfolio Holder for Place, said: “This project has the potential to deliver many benefits for Dacorum’s residents. It would improve the health and wellbeing of our community by providing health care services, a range of clinical facilities and other NHS services in an easily accessible location all under one roof.  As a centre from which we can promote health and wellbeing, the Hemel Health Campus could act as a catalyst to regenerate Hemel Hempstead town centre, supporting the local economy and driving footfall.”

Dr Jane Halpin, Chief Executive of NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB, said: “We want to work with the council and the local community to see how services currently on the Hemel Hempstead Hospital site, as well as primary care and potentially mental health and community services, could be brought together into a purpose-built and accessible facility. Providing these frequently used and much-valued services together could offer huge potential benefits for the local population and would address the significant challenges related to the existing buildings at Hemel Hempstead Hospital.”

Alex White, Chief Redevelopment Officer for WHTH, said: “We’re excited by the benefits the proposed health campus could bring to our local communities in Dacorum and look forward to continuing to work closely with our partners to progress this project further.

Work on the project will be carried out by a joint team made up of representatives from the three main partners. The team will work closely with the local community to ensure that the project meets the needs of residents while supporting the local economy. Opportunities to get involved will be shared on the health and care system website.