Watford MP Richard Harrington says he remains “committed” to Watford General Hospital after it emerged yesterday that it would remain in special measures.

England’s chief hospital inspector Mike Richards said West Hertfordshire Hospital Trust, which runs the hospital along with St Albans and Hemel Hempstead, still required improvement despite it making progress since 2015.

The Care Quality Commission report noted a number of problems with the hospital, namely in the emergency department.

READ MORE: Hospital trust will remain in special measures after new report says it requires improvement

Two days ago, a Whitehall reported said that hospitals could join prisons and social care in a cycle of “crisis, cash, repeat” unless they receive better financial planning reforms.

And today, a Care Quality Commission review revealed that safety at 80 per cent of hospital trusts in England is not good enough. Of 136 trusts in the country, 11 per cent were rated as inadequate on safety and 70 per cent required improvement.

Cuts to funding have led to rising demands for hospitals, and staffing and overcrowding have become major concerns.

But Mr Harrington said he believes Watford General will “succeed in the future”.

He said: “While it’s disappointing to learn that the Trust will remain in special measures, it is encouraging that progress has been made in a number of key areas.

“The Trust has moved from ‘inadequate’ to ‘requires improvement’ and there has been an increase in the number of services graded as ‘good’. I have been speaking to senior staff at the Trust and I know that the comments in the report have been taken on board and changes have already been made.

“Moving forward, the inspection last year is just one part of this process to raise standards. The hospital will continue to receive expert and concentrated attention, regular spot checks will take place and there’s likely to be a re-inspection in six months’ time.

"For the whole time I have been the MP, I have been waiting for the proposals for the redevelopment of the hospital to help get them funding. With these issues sorted out, I hope we can get further in that process. I remain committed to our hospital and seeing it succeed in the future.”