Labour leader Ed Miliband visited Watford General Hospital today to meet with local NHS executives.

The leader of the opposition is here for a two-day visit and was today given a tour of the facility.

He met with chief executive Samantha Jones - who previously described the buildings as unfit for purpose - to discuss the future investments planned for the hospital.

Mr Miliband said: "I have been given a fantastic welcome by the chief nurse and chief executive.

"The Labour party are looking at a spending review for the Watford General. I recognise the urgency with which that is required."

Samantha Jones, chief executive of the hospital trust, said she was "delighted" to welcome the MP for Doncaster North.

She added: “Mr Miliband is on a private visit and will spend time meeting with our patients, their families and staff across the hospital.  This includes in our busy A&E department, dementia unit and children’s ward.

“I am looking forward to being able to talk to Mr Miliband about our many successes as a large hospital trust, which includes St Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals. I will also brief him about our challenges and how we are managing them.

“Mr Miliband will also be meeting with our local NHS partners, including the clinical commissioning group, mental health trust, community health trust, county council (social services) and Hertfordshire Healthwatch.”