Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Public meeting on Monklands
Last chance to submit views on orthopaedics plans
Airdrie’s public meeting on the future plans for Monklands Hospital takes place in Gartlea this evening.
Local residents are invited to attend the NHS Lanarkshire consultation event on topics including the planned redevelopment of the Airdrie hospital plus the long- term location of the area’s orthopaedic elective centre of excellence.
The meeting – part of a series taking place across the county – comes ahead of the deadline of next Tuesday, November 1, for consultation responses on the health board’s Achieving Excellence strategy.
Among the proposals out for consultation are the planned £ 400 million replacement for Monklands Hospital, with the public being asked whether there should be a complete or partial redevelopment on the current Monkscourt Avenue site, a new build elsewhere in the current catchment area, or a programme to maintain the existing building.
Residents are also being asked about the orthopaedics plans, which will see elective surgery in the discipline being based at either Monklands or Hairmyres, in addition to a trauma centre at Wishaw General; with the long-term choice being based on “[people’s] views, final models for national orthopaedic services and the redevelopment of Monklands Hospital”.
Tonight’s meeting takes place at Gartlea community centre; refreshments will be available from 6.30pm, with the formal meeting running from 6.50pm to 8.30pm and including an introductory presentation, small group discussions, and a question-and-answer session.
NHS Lanarkshire medical director Dr Iain Wallace said: “As well as setting out our proposals for the future, Achieving Excellence includes a clear commitment from NHS Lanarkshire that Wishaw, Hairmyres and Monklands hospitals will all continue to deliver emergency care.
“Each hospital will continue to have a fully-functioning, consultantled emergency department; acute medical and surgical services; diagnostics and imaging; operating theatres; and critical care and outpatient services.”
Views can also be submitted at www. surveymonkey. co. uk/ r/ achievingexcellenceconsultation, emailed to hcsviews@lanarkshire. scot.nhs.uk or posted to FREEPOST RTEJ-HZLK-AETZ, NHS Lanarkshire, Kirklands, Fallside Road, Bothwell G71 8BB.
Meanwhile, council officials have added that they are “working closely” with the health board on planning for the new 450to 500-bed Monklands Hospital project, intended to open by 2023.
Council chief executive Paul Jukes said: “Nothing of this scale can be delivered in isolation, no matter which option is chosen, and partnership is crucial.
“The plans for Monklands Hospital are hugely ambitious and a whole range of council services need to be closely involved to ensure that those plans are robust.
“We have an excellent partnership with NHS Lanarkshire and all agree on the massive potential an investment of this scale can bring for people across North Lanarkshire; I look forward to continuing the excellent work to date.”
Health board chief executive Calum Campbell said: “We are committed to working in close partnership with North Lanarkshire Council throughout the process of planning and building a new Monklands Hospital.
“This includes the production of an initial agreement for the development, which we will submit to the Scottish Government in December.
“We recognise that while Monklands Hospital delivers excellent services, the physical infrastructure requires massive investment.
“We look forward to a continuing, productive partnership with North Lanarkshire Council in taking forward this development.”