A new £1.6m ward has been opened at Watford General Hospital.

The 26-bed Tudor ward, named by West Herts Hospitals Trust Patients’ Panel, was opened in the Shrodells building yesterday.

It will be used for patients who are ready to return home or need to be transferred to another service, such as a care home.

Jac Kelly, the trust's interim chief executive said: “I am delighted to announce the opening of Tudor ward.

“The new ward will help us during the busy winter period, including helping to speed up the time it takes to admit patients from our A&E onto our wards.

“I would like to congratulate the team who have worked hard to get the ward ready in time for today’s opening and to thank our Patients’ Panel for coming up with the name.”

The ward has been funded with support from Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group.

For more information visit www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk.