Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Macgregor concerned decision ‘not wanted’ by many constituents
However, Coatbridge MSP wants project‘ urgency’
Although pleased that the board had finally reached a decision on the new hospital’s site, Coatbridge & Chryston MSP Fulton Macgregor and Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard both expressed concerns over the choice of Wester Moffat.
Mr Macgregor said: “Through every stage of this process I have fought for the current site, right in the middle of Coatbridge and Airdrie, to be used for something that will benefit the health of the local community.
“It was a commitment that I secured through the independent review and I was pleased that NHS Lanarkshire reaffirmed this commitment.
“I welcome that the board have made a recommendation. We need a new Monklands Hospital and with the doors of the new site not expected to open until 2028, there needs to be some urgency in getting this project started.
“There were pros and cons for all three sites and this is indicative of how big the Monklands catchment area has become.
“Although a final decision has not been reached, it is clear that this recommendation is not what many people in the Northern Corridor would have wanted.”
Echoing these sentiments, Central Scotland MSP Mr Leonard added: “I will always believe that the new Monklands Hospital could, and should, have been built on its current site and I’m disappointed for the thousands of people who supported my campaign to keep it there.
“However, health secretary
Jeane Freeman refused to even allow it to be considered as an option.
“It is important that a plan is in place to redevelop the current site, in consultation with the community, into something that will benefit everyone in the area.
“Monklands Hospital has played an enormous part in Airdrie for decades and it will be for the health board and Scottish Government to ensure planning, and a meaningful consultation, is underway for what the site can be used for in the future.”