West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust formally opened the new ambulatory care unit at Watford General this week.

The unit provides targeted, urgent routine tests, scans and treatment to patients who might previously have needed to be admitted to a hospital ward. 

It first opened its doors on January 19, following an investment of approximately £1.4 million. 

Since then it has treated more than 2,700 patients and is expected to see nearly 15,000 patients a year.

Healthcare expert Sir Graham Morgan, Watford MP Richard Harrington and a team of doctors, nurses and support staff were also joined by Councillor George Derbyshire, chairman of Watford Borough Council, at the unit's official launch on Wednesday.

Sir Graham Morgan said: "I am thrilled to have been asked to officially open the unit. I have been involved with a number of hospitals, looking at introducing ambulatory emergency care, with a particular interest in the developing the skills and roles of nurses as part of the clinical team. 

"I am pleased to see that West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust has developed an ambulatory care unit to enhance the service they provide to patients."