Trio join team scrutinising hospital progress

The former chief medical officer for Scotland is among three new members joining the new Monklands Hospital replacement oversight board ahead of its first meeting this month.

Professor Sir Harry Burns, who is now professor of global public health at Strathclyde University, was appointed by NHS Lanarkshire board members – alongside existing health board non-executive directors Brian Moore and Michael Fuller.

The trio will join the group scrutinising the progress of the project to assess and consult on potential sites for the planned £400 million new hospital.

It is chaired by Dr Lesley Thomson QC, the former solicitor general for Scotland, and NHS Lanarkshire employee director Lilian Macer.

Four public representatives will also be appointed to the group, with two each to be nominated by North Lanarkshire public partnership forum and by South Lanarkshire health and social care forum.

The new group is being established by the health board in response to the independent review process into last year’s site selection process which saw Gartcosh emerge as the top-scoring new location for the new hospital.

NHS Lanarkshire board chair Neena Mahal said:“I am delighted that Professor Sir Harry Burns has agreed to join the Monklands replacement oversight board.

“Having such an eminent and respected expert in the field of healthcare in the role of external independent member will help provide greater public confidence in the project, as will the ongoing involvement of the public forum representatives.”