Public deserve the truth about NHS plans at hospital

Firstly, I write this letter as secretary of Cairnhill community council, in the interest of the local community.

If any of the current publicly elected members wish to criticise me, then so be it.

However, I write this letter as some staff of Monklands Hospital and members of the general public are becoming very distressed to hear and witness the removal of wards and services at the hospital.

As all of MSPs are fully aware, a consultation took place during 2016 and included various public meetings, including one in October in Gartlea.

I and many other members of the public, and regional MSPs, attended to listen to the issues that people wished to convey to NHS Lanarkshire. Unfortunately, local constituency MSPs Fulton MacGregor and Alex Neil did not attend.

It’s becoming clear NHS Lanarkshire are not giving clarity to the public and staff of Monklands, who are becoming very concerned about the serious lack of respect being shown to users and staff of the crucial service for Airdrie, Coatbridge and the surrounding areas.

We have seen the closure of paediatrics, dermatology, trauma & orthopaedics, and in the past few weeks ward 24 acute psychiatric services, along with rumours now that renal ward 1 is at threat.

Fulton MacGregor is a parliamentary liaison officer for health secretary Shona Robison.

Alex Neil is a previous health secretary.

Now it’s time for the local elected MSPs to start communicating full honesty and clarity about Monklands Hospital; NHS Scotland is fully devolved to Holyrood.

Service changes Concerns are being expressed about Monklands Hospital