Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
WORKING FOR YOU False rumours
We really are in very exciting and unpredictable times.
The state of politics in the UK is at an all time low. At a time when parties of a progressive nature should be united in our approach, I find myself sadly using this column to dispel rumours being spread by some elected members of the Labour party about Monklands Hospital.
For the avoidance of doubt, Monklands Hospital is not closing; and I’m aware that most people know this. The SNP saved the hospital in 2007 and we are now investing millions to allow NHS Lanarkshire to develop a state- of- the- art new- build to serve the people of Monklands for decades to come.
It is true that the health secretary has ruled out the current site for a rebuild and this is due to the time it would take to deliver, and obvious restrictions with the location which were not relevant when the hospital was built in the 1970s.
Monklands has significantly changed in this time, both in terms of population and health needs, so we need a brand new building equipped to deal with the current challenges and any future developments we may experience.
I understand the initial concerns around this and when the proposals were first made, I shared them. My family home is in Coatdyke – in the shadow of the hospital – so I know the importance of the location right between Coatbridge and Airdrie. That’s why, during the initial consultation last year and again through the independent review, I fought and advocated for the current site to be used for health services that could meet the specific health needs of the area.
I was, therefore, delighted when the review recommended that a clear vision for the existing site be developed and NHS Lanarkshire agreed to implement this, stating in their own press release: “Our vision for the current hospital site involves a proposal to make it available for redevelopment by a partnership involving NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council, Strathclyde University and other partners.”; and continues: “To provide facilities to improve the health and wellbeing of local people, reducing their health inequalities and providing the opportunity for economic regeneration in the area.”
This means we now have the opportunity to have a brand new hospital fit for the future in Monklands – whether that’s at Glenboig/Gartcosh, Glenmavis or another site. This new Monklands – like it does currently, along with Wishaw and Hairmyres – would meet the acute health care needs of everyone in Lanarkshire.
I think it is important to consider that the current site will still be used to meet local needs; this could include health and social care services for our older and vulnerable adults and services to tackle drug and alcohol issues. It could also retain an emergency-type facility and the amazing Maggie’s Centre.
The point is we should be talking and debating about what type of services should be there; I would have thought that would be something all parties would welcome and I’m disappointed Richard Leonard’s Labour are still playing politics with this and not engaging in the discussion.
Working with both Alex Neil MSP and Neil Gray MP, we have delivered a recommendation to have the current site used for the advantage of the whole Monklands community.
To coin a phrase, we can have the best of both worlds; a new hospital somewhere nearby which boasts specific tailored services on the current site.
Your local SNP politicians and government will continue to deliver real results and investment for our communities while Labour carp from the sidelines, scaremongering to try to claw back votes.