Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Endoscopy procedures set to reduce
Some endoscopy procedures and work at Monklands Hospital are set to come to an end.
The remobilisation, which the health board claim will provide greater access to patients and reduce waiting times, will see a mobile endoscopy unit being set up on the grounds of Hairmyres Hospital.
The endoscopy unit at Monklands Hospital had been closed since autumn 2020 for “essential upgrade works”, with work instead taking place in theatre areas – but now it is being drastically downgraded.
The impending move was highlighted by an Advertiser reader who wishes to remain anonymous and told us: “The NHS are moving [endoscopy] staff to other wards in Monklands Hospital and I’ve heard they’ve spent millions to have an endoscopy mobile unit based at Hairmyres.
“Why are the NHS paying this amount of money for a mobile unit and other costs when it is underfunded already, and the endoscopy unit at Monklands worked so well?”
Russell Coulthard, NHS Lanarkshire deputy director of acute services, responded by telling the Advertiser: “The endoscopy unit at University Hospital Monklands has been closed since autumn 2020, to allow for essential upgrade works to the air handling units to take place.
“Since then endoscopy procedures have been provided within the theatre areas of the hospital.
“To allow greater access to both endoscopy and general theatres for Lanarkshire residents, some of this endoscopy activity is now planned to cease.
“Endoscopy staff on the Monklands site will continue to work within endoscopy or theatres in the hospital.
“As part of the health board and Scottish Government plan for service remobilisation, a mobile endoscopy unit is being established on the University Hospital Hairmyres site.
“This will provide greater access to endoscopy for Lanarkshire residents and reduce waiting times for these vital tests.”
Airdrie MSP Neil Gray said: “I would be concerned if endoscopy were to be removed from Monklands entirely, however NHS Lanarkshire appear to be suggesting that staff and services are being retained here.
“I will be writing to NHS Lanarkshire to seek more detail on their plans to ensure local patients receive the best services possible.”