Health Secretary orders review into Monklands move

An independent review into NHS Lanarkshire's plans to move Monklands Hospital to Gartcosh has been ordered by the Health Secretary.

Jeane Freeman has agreed to look at the health boards decision making processes, after campaigners submitted a 20 page document highlights flaws in the proposals.

They are arguing the move will make travel to the hospital difficult for people in Airdrie and Coatbridge.

In her letter, Ms Freeman spoke about issues “which have also been raised by local people, about the quality of the option appraisal process and the wider engagement and consultation undertaken by the Board. In particular, concerns have been expressed about the quality of information provided and the analysis undertaken by the Board, and about the robustness and accuracy of the evidence which informed the options appraisal process.”

Mr Gray and Mr Neil submitted a 20 page critique of NHS Lanarkshire’s process of suggesting Gartcosh as their preferred site for the new Monklands Hospital. They had previously called on NHS Lanarkshire to themselves reopen the process and take Gartcosh off the table. The local MP and MSP also raised a 6000 name petition rejecting the Gartcosh option.

Commenting Airdrie & Shotts MP Neil Gray said: “I am delighted that Jeane Freeman has agreed to our request to instruct an independent review of NHS Lanarkshire’s processes regarding the new Monklands Hospital.

“Alex and I have been campaigning hard for months with local volunteers to see the Gartcosh option off the table as it is clear it is opposed by the public and politicians. There are also gaping holes in the supposed facts and arguments for Gartcosh, as we have exposed in our twenty page submission.

“I look forward to engaging with the review team to ensure my constituents and the people of Monklands get the new hospital they deserve in a location that best suits their needs.”

Airdrie & Shotts MSP Alex Neil said: “This review is very welcome. I am now calling on all the political parties representing North Lanarkshire to unite behind the campaign to ditch Gartcosh as a serious option for the location of the new hospital.

“It is very clear that the vast majority of people in the Monklands area do not want Gartcosh as the site for the new hospital. We must ensure that the review is robust and gives due weight to the strength of public opinion on this matter.

Neena Mahal, Chair of NHS Lanarkshire, said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to the replacement or refurbishment of University Hospital Monklands”

“It is important that our stakeholders have confidence in the process and the outcome. We therefore welcome an independent review of the process and look forward to progressing this much needed facility for the people of Lanarkshire as soon as possible.