Hewitt asked to justify decision (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Hewitt asked to justify decision

9:00am Friday 8th December 2006 in

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HEALTH SECRETARY Patricia Hewitt is facing demands to come to St Albans and justify the decision to scrap plans for a new hospital in Hatfield.

The minister is receiving letters of protest from both St Albans MP Anne Main and St Albans District Council.

The Government's critics are also concerned about the closure of Hemel Hempstead Hospital's casualty department, doubts over the future of the QEII Hospital in Welwyn Garden City and last week's controversial shutting of 20 beds at Harpenden Memorial Hospital.

Council leader Robert Donald said: "There is a deep sense of betrayal of trust and cynicism among residents.

"In just a couple of weeks, a painstakingly constructed strategy agreed over years for new health services locally has been demolished."