Oliver has secured commitments to the future of Potters Bar Hospital in meetings with Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust and the Royal Free NHS Trust. The meetings were organised by Mr Dowden following reports earlier this year that the survival of the hospital may be in doubt.

Oliver met with senior staff from Herts Community Trust on Friday during a visit to the Hospital and with Sir David Sloman, Chief Executive of the Royal Free in Westminster last month.

Speaking afterwards, Oliver said: ‘Like many others I was very concerned by reports that Potters Bar Community Hospital’s future may be in question.

‘It was important to speak directly with the agencies responsible and I am therefore pleased to have secured clarity that the Hospital will be remaining open.

‘Potters Bar Community Hospital is a wonderful asset for our town and I was able to see this first hand during my visit on Friday. I am grateful to all the staff for their hospitality on the day and their dedicated work helping their patients.’

These latest discussions came following a meeting Oliver convened earlier in the year with Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group, the body responsible for funding all health services in Hertsmere. From them he received a similar assurance that there are no plans to close Potters Bar Hospital.

Oliver added: ‘I hope that people can now feel reassured that the hospital will be remaining open.

‘However, I will be continuing to monitor this issue and representing my constituents’ views to those responsible for managing our local health services.’