New proposal for Lanarkshire hospital to be reviewed by government ministers

The Scottish government is set to examine plans for a new hospital in Lanarkshire. If approved, construction would start next year on farmland at Wester Moffat in Airdrie, with the facility expected to open by 2031. The development would replace the existing Monklands Hospital, which could be repurposed as a health and wellbeing village.

NHS Lanarkshire's board has endorsed the business plan for the Wester Moffat project, calling it a "groundbreaking model" for healthcare delivery in the region.

All specialist medical services in Lanarkshire, including cancer treatment, infectious disease care, renal medicine, urology, and ENT surgery, would be centralized at the new hospital.

Martin Hill, chairman of NHS Lanarkshire, stated, "This represents one of the most important decisions in recent memory for our board and is a major milestone for the people of Lanarkshire. The detailed proposal reassured us that every aspect of the hospital's design and planning has been carefully evaluated and that public and staff input has been thoroughly considered."

Colin Lauder, NHS Lanarkshire's executive director for Monklands Replacement & PFI Contracts, highlighted that the hospital would be the most technologically advanced in Scotland. He noted that construction would create jobs locally and that the new site would offer double the current parking capacity.

Officials have also indicated that the new facility will be Scotland's first fully "digital hospital," integrating advanced technology into patient care. Additionally, it will be designed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions for both its construction and operational phases.

Author: Harper Simmons