Minister urged to review how NHS chiefs made £600m choice
Decision on new hospital’s location was ‘skewed’, say politicians
Politicians have urged the health secretary to review how the site of a new £600 million hospital was chosen. NHS Lanarkshire has been accused of “the biggest stitch-up of all time” by Alex Neil MSP after choosing Gartcosh as the preferred site for the new Monklands hospital. Now, Mr Neil, a former health secretary, and MP Neil Gray are calling on Jeane Freeman to examine what they claim are a series of “skewed” decisions. He said: “We believe only an independent review can properly address the many concerns we have about how the decision to choose Gartcosh was reached when we believe that site will not be as beneficial to the patients who live in the hospital catchment area. “We have asked the health secretary to commission a report which we believe will highlight the misinformation being perpetrated by NHS Lanarkshire, who we believe had already made their mind up about the Gartcosh site. “The new hospital is a huge public investment and we must ensure we get this right for families who live here.” MP Neil Gray has also claimed NHS Lanarkshire were biased in favour of Gartcosh and exaggerated the potential problems with a site in Glenmavis, despite 40 acres of land being gifted by vegetable firm magnate Ronnie Bartlett. Mr Gray said: “We do not believe the public consultation process met the standards expected and NHS Lanarkshire’s credibility has been called into question.” NHS Lanarkshire said: “The Scottish Health Council has a responsibility to undertake an independent evaluation of the appraisal and consultation process. “Had there been any concerns the SHC would not have permitted NHS Lanarkshire to proceed to consultation.”