Watford General Hospital is at the heart of the West Herts Hospital NHS Trust's acute emergency services - the core location for inpatient emergency care, and for all patients who need the specialist emergency facilities (such as intensive care) of a major district general hospital. It also provides elective care for higher risk patients together with a full range of outpatient and diagnostic services. There are approximately 600 beds and nine theatres (including one local theatre).

Watford is also the focus of the Trust's Women's and Children's services, including neonatal care.

The Urgent Treatment Centre is open 8am to 2am every day and it provides urgent care services for the local community.