TALKING POLITICS We have a lot of work to do to keep new hospital local

Your hospital needs you – it is as simple as that.

We know that NHS Lanarkshire prefers the Gartcosh site for the new Monklands Hospital and that we have a lot of work to do to keep the new hospital local.

Alex Neil MSP and I believe NHS Lanarkshire has massively underplayed the problems and risks of the Gartcosh site and overplayed the issues at the two possible sites in Airdrie.

When we met with NHS Lanarkshire last week, we were clear that their basis for moving to Gartcosh is based on flawed information and I believe that will be confirmed beyond dispute in the coming weeks.

We did, however, gain concessions from the health board that the public consultation events would be more balanced and not skewed only to promote Gartcosh, but also that public opinion will have weight in their final decision.

What is clear is that there is a desire among some people to see the hospital remain where it is.

And in my discussions locally, I am yet to have anyone tell me they are opposed to Mr Bartlett’s generous land offer being accepted to build the new hospital off Stirling Road in Airdrie North. These are both popular options.

It does appear, however, from the last few Advertisers that NHS Lanarkshire has managed to unite local politicians against Gartcosh.

It is not a popular site for many reasons – public transport access, car access and proximity to Glasgow – but also because it takes the hospital out of the central Monklands area.

We must remember that a primary function of this hospital is to serve the people of Monklands. So, I am convinced that it will be people power that will keep Monklands Hospital in Monklands.

If political opinion and public opinion are united against Gartcosh, NHS Lanarkshire will find that very difficult to ignore; and it is your help that could make the difference in the campaign being successful.

Alex and I have launched a petition, available online and on paper, calling on NHS Lanarkshire to keep the hospital in Monklands; it has received strong support so far.

We have been out on the doors in the local area and in Airdrie town centre collecting signatures.

But for us to reach the numbers of people required to make it impossible for NHS Lanarkshire to ignore, we need help. We need volunteers to get involved to make this a panconsiderable Lanarkshire campaign. When we were organising the petition we intended for a campaign to support it which involved people of all political parties and those with no political allegiance at all.

This is a campaign for the people of Monklands and the people of Lanarkshire who deserve a hospital to serve their needs first.

Anyone who wants to get involved in the fight to save our hospital for Monklands should get in touch with me by phoning 01236 439630, emailing neil.gray. mp@parliament.uk or dropping by our office in Airdrie Business Centre.

Even if you took a copy of the petition to get signatures from your close, street, lunch club, sports club or family you’d be doing your bit to keep the hospital local.

There are many ways you can help – your hospital needs you.

NHS Lanarkshire has massively underplayed the problems and risks of the Gartcosh site

Help required Mr Gray is urging Monklands residents to back the petition launched by himself and Alex Neil MSP