Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
MSP and MP hail hospital plans
Airdrie’s parliamentarians have praised the digital design plans for the facility, while stressing the need to remove Gartcosh from the shortlist.
Last week’s Advertiser told how Wester Moffat farmland is now under consideration as the hospital’s site, alongside Glenmavis and Gartcosh.
Neil Gray MP and Alex Neil MSP, who have campaigned against Gartcosh since it was announced as NHS Lanarkshire’s top option, say it would be “unacceptable”, while either of the Airdrie locations are“ideal”.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has also now written to health board chief executive Calum Campbell with various queries following last week’s announcement, saying: “These proposals raise more questions than they answer”– while party colleague Elaine Smith is still supporting the current site at Monkscourt Avenue.
Mr Neil said:“I’m happy to see the inclusion of two Airdrie sites; I hope the health board will listen to local people.
“The Gartcosh option is unacceptable and has already been rejected on a cross-party basis by the Scottish Parliament.”
He added of the visualisations of the proposed facility:“This is exactly the type of hospital that Neil and I have been fighting for – it’s a first-class design and one that needs to be built close to the existing site at either Glenmavis or Wester Moffat.”
Constituency colleague Mr Gray agreed:“This design is exactly the type of hospital that t the people of this area deserve. .
“The fact that all departments will be digitally connected should mean that patient care is the best available, and shows why the existing site would not be suitable.”
The current site was officially y ruled out last summer but Labour MSPs are still campaigning for it to remain there.
Ms Smith, the former Coatbridge representative, said: d: “Moving the hospital will increase travel costs for many patients and staff, and will particularly hit lower-paid ancillary staff and potentially increase taxi fares for shift workers.
“It is located in an area with high levels of deprivation and ill ll health, with many patients relying on public transport.
“I firmly believe that the best option continues to be keeping the hospital in its current location and at the heart of the communities who rely on it.”