Monklands project hits milestone

Approval plan sent to Holyrood

- ROSS THOMSON

The project to create Monklands' new hospital has reached its most important milestone yet.

The board of NHS Lanarkshire has met and approved the Full Business Case for the new University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie.

Board members agreed that the Monklands Replacement Project (MRP) business case should now be submitted to the Scottish Government for consideration and final approval.

Scottish Government approval will allow hospital construction to begin next year at Wester Moffat in Airdrie, with a targeted opening in 2031.

Martin Hill, chair of the board of NHS Lanarkshire, said: "This is the most important decision by the board in recent memory and marks a significant milestone for the people of Lanarkshire.

"I'd like to thank everyone involved, including the board members for their diligent consideration of such a comprehensive and complex business case.