West Herts Hospitals Trust staff are told that number of nurses in Watford A&E "to be halved".

Mike Penning said he "was stunned with disbelief" when he heard that hospital staff had been told that the number of nurses at Watford A&E is to be halved."

Watford's A&E nurses already feel they are overworked and under pressure and are very concerned about the effects of the closure of Hemel's A&E. One nurse has said:

"I believe they are about to put patient care in A&E at a big risk".

Mike Penning said:

"It is unbelievable that the Trust is planning to cut front-line staff at Watford. Any normal person would expect them to be increasing the staff in Watford A&E to prepare for their planned closure of Hemel. Not the complete opposite!"

"The Trust management need to sit down and look at a map and let it sink in just how many people are going to be relying on an aging Accident and Emergency department tucked away in the Victorian back streets of Watford."

He continued:

"All the time I hear stories from my constituents who visit Watford A&E – and not once has anyone mentioned that they felt it would benefit from fewer nurses! Yet again this is 'healthcare by accountants'. It is complete madness - would you ask a doctor to do your accounts?"