Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Politicians vow to keep a close watch
The area’s politicians insist they have been given “categorical assurance that there will be no downgrading of the A&E at Monklands” as a result of the hospital’s loss of trauma and orthopaedic services.
Airdrie parliamentarians Alex Neil MSP and Neil Gray MP say they will be campaigning for the proposed new hospital in their constituency to become the permanent home of Lanarkshire’s orthopaedic elective surgery; while Fulton MacGregor, the Coatbridge MSP, said: “There are plans outlining the long term future of A&E care in Monklands.”
Mr Gray and Mr Neil issued a joint statement saying:“We have been concerned to ensure that the changes won’t have any negative impact on the A&E department, which we fought so hard to keep open.
“We will be keeping a very close watch on throughput figures, as well as the number of patients being transferred to other hospitals, and requesting regular updates to ensure that no related services are adversely affected.”
Both added that the move “accommodates changes recommended
by various national bodies for improving patient care and safety; clearly, NHS Lanarkshire needs to make changes to meet these requirements”.
The Airdrie representatives added:“We will insist that the promises being made must be kept.
“Staff need to be much more involved in the decision-making process than appears to have been the case so far; and there has to be a significant and timeous improvement in patient and visitor transport links between Lanarkshire’s three hospitals.
“While supportive of the principle of having one centre of excellence each for trauma and elective surgery covering the whole of Lanarkshire, we will be insisting that the new Monklands Hospital, to be built by 2023, be the location for one of these.”
Mr MacGregor met health board officials on Friday and said:“I made clear that there should be no attempt to downgrade A&E services at Monklands Hospital.
“From discussions with the health board, I am convinced that these temporary changes are in the long-term interests of my constituents which is why I will be supporting them. I want my constituents to know that I will never accept measures that put our hospital at risk.
“I outlined in great detail to NHS Lanarkshire’s chief executive that the hospital is a part of our identity; and I
welcome that plans for a new hospital in Monklands have been confirmed, securing A&E services locally.”
North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue also backed the health board plans, saying:“At present there are clear risks in the current trauma and orthopaedic services which could compromise patient safety and quality of care – this is not acceptable, and I’m pleased that NHS Lanarkshire has taken action to address this issue.
“Understandably, local residents have voiced concerns, but I think when they see what’s actually being proposed they will understand that patient safety and quality comes first.
“The council is fully supportive of plans to build a new Monklands Hospital and we will do anything we can to facilitate a new build.”