In 2002 the then Beds and Herts Strategic Health Authority (SHA) conducted a full strategic review of hospital provision across the two counties.   In response to changing health needs in the 21st century, it was recognised that a reconfiguration of services would be required, and despite local resistance to downgrading certain district general hospitals, the resulting plan achieved widespread and cross-party support.

Central to the strategy was the building of a new "super" hospital at the old deHavilland site in Hatfield, which would house a major cancer centre, and would have links with the University of Hertfordshire (UH) which plans to develop its faculty of medicine.  It would also link into the plan for a major Japanese pharmaceutical company to build its headquarters on an adjacent plot, providing all the ingredients for a successful centre of medical excellence.

Now, thanks to the mess this government has made of NHS finances, the project is under severe threat.  On November 10th the Primary Care Trust announced that the hospital was "unaffordable".  Only loud and persistent protest is likely to have any effect - we need you to sign our petition, and write to the Secretary forHealth, Patricia Hewitt.