Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Designs revealed for eco-friendly hospital
NHS Lanarkshire has unveiled its vision for its new net zero hospital.
As the eyes of the world are on Scotland for the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, the design concept has been revealed for the state-of the-art new University Hospital Monklands – just 14 miles from where the UN conference is being held.
The new hospital will be the first in Scotland to be designed from the outset to be fully net zero for both the build and operation phases, meaning it will not contribute to carbon emissions.
Health secretary Humza Yousaf said: “At a time when Glasgow is hosting COP26, this project demonstrates our commitment that all new NHS Scotland buildings and major refurbishments will be designed to have net-zero greenhouse emissions.
“The new Monklands Hospital is a key priority and will form part of the Scottish Government’s overall ambition of investing £10 billion over the next decade to replace and upgrade health facilities across Scotland.”
The Monklands Replacement Project (MRP) images show how the hospital could look when it opens around 2028 at the proposed new site at Wester Moffat, on the outskirts of Airdrie.
The hospital vision, created by the MRP’S architects, Keppie Design, has been expertly tailored to the landscape of the Wester Moffat site, ensuring the setting provides a healing environment and that the new Monklands Hospital helps champion the nation’s commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
Keppie Design director David Ross said: “We are very pleased to be involved in plans to provide this ground-breaking new net zero carbon hospital, at a time when COP26 is prompting a vital and significant focus on the impact of environmental issues on our future.”
MRP director Graeme Reid added: “We’re delighted to share this inspirational vision for our new hospital, which is being designed to achieve the Scottish Government’s net zero requirements.
“The project team are hugely excited about the opportunity we have to provide a world-class hospital for the communities of Lanarkshire.
“It will deliver the most modern healthcare, designed to ensure that the huge advances in digital technology are central to an improved experience for patients and will help staff carry out their work.
“This ongoing design work was created with the input of patient and public representatives and staff, who have provided very valuable feedback at a series of workshops.
“And we’ll continue to engage with the community throughout the winter and into next year.”
NHS Lanarkshire is also working with the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland Assure – the new service established to assess the quality and management of healthcare construction projects – as it continues to develop its outline business case, to be submitted to the Scottish Government for approval following sign-off through the new NHS Assure process during the course of 2022.
NHS Scotland Assure is a new service that aims to be recognised across the world as a national centre for reducing risks in the healthcare built environment. The service will ensure safety, fitness for purpose, cost effectiveness and capability to deliver sustainable services.
Julie Critchley, director of NHS Scotland Assure, said: “Supporting the development of the MRP is a prime example of what NHS Scotland Assure was set up to do.
“In addition to ensuring that new hospital built environments are safe, fit for purpose and cost effective, one of our critical aims is to deliver sustainable services for the future.
“We will work with the project team throughout the full life cycle of the build, from strategic assessment through to building operations and ongoing maintenance.
“Working with NHS Lanarkshire to deliver a net zero site will be very rewarding and our team look forward to supporting the development of one of the most significant hospitals in Scotland.”
Working with NHS Lanarkshire to deliver a net zero site will be very rewarding