Peter Ingram

Background

I’ve lived in the Watford area for 45 years but hail originally from Leeds, Yorkshire.

I am married and have two daughters and two grand-children who also live in the Watford area.

Business Experience

58 years in the paper, print and publishing industries including 37 years running my own family business.  Retired from executive business since the end of 2017.

Volunteer Experience

I was a founder trustee of the Apsley Paper Trail Charity and its first Chairman from January 2000.  Acquiring and developing the Trust’s two valuable heritage sites at Apsley Mills and Frogmore Mill involved winning the support of communities, politicians and planners at district, county, regional and national levels.

What is your experience with the local NHS

Just like very many of people in West Herts my main experience of its hospitals is as a patient of Watford General Hospital and visiting family members and friends.  My youngest daughter and both grandchildren were born at WGH.  In more recent times, I have experience of both Hemel Hempstead and St. Alban’s Hospitals for blood tests and minor injuries.

I also know many clinical, administrative and maintenance staff of WGH as either neighbours, friends and business associates.  No one understand why the Commissioning Group supports the Vicarage Road site to build a 21st century acute hospital to serve the whole of West Herts.

What Gets You Passionate about Herts Valleys Hospital

The certain knowledge that there is a much better solution for West Hert’s, residents, hospital staff, GPs, community healthcare staff and carers than any of the options preferred by our Local Commissioning Group.  For my daughters and grandchildren, I must do whatever I can to help stop the impending disaster proposed by the Commissioning Group by proving the clear case for a new, state-of-the-art acute hospital, centrally located in West Herts.

What is the biggest challenge to achieving Herts Valleys Hospital?

Mobilising widespread public awareness of why and how the current Commissioning Group is on track to consign the people of Watford and the rest of West Herts, to a third-rate hospital service instead of a lower cost, NHS flagship hospital.  With this public backing, we will galvanise widespread support for a robust business plan and designs for a world class acute hospital in the centre of West Herts.