South Lanarkshire patient representatives have told how they are helping to contribute to the multi-million pound project to develop Lanarkshire’s planned new acute hospital.
Larkhall resident Margaret Moncrieff and Jan Taylor of Cambuslang, respectively the chair and vice-chair of South Lanarkshire health and social care forum, are both members of the engagement forum advising staff leading the Monklands replacement project on involving the public in planning for the new hospital in Airdrie.
It is due to open in 2031, and will become the Lanarkshire-wide centre for specialisms including cancer care, planned orthopaedic surgery including hip and knee replacements, infectious disease medicine, renal medicine, urology surgery and ear, nose & throat.
NHS Lanarkshire will complete the full business case this year for the new hospital, to be built on farmland at Wester Moffat to the east of Airdrie’s town centre, around three miles from the existing hospital.
Jan, who is also the chair of Camglen health and social care forum, said: “People in South Lanarkshire or the wider North Lanarkshire area may think a new hospital in Airdrie isn’t relevant to their healthcare needs – but we’ve been spreading the message that the new Monklands will treat patients from across Lanarkshire in its specialist services.
“Those who may not consider Monklands their local hospital will more than likely find ourselves stepping through the doors; and because of that we’re very keen to get the message to as many people as possible in South and North Lanarkshire that these vital planned care services will be available to them at Monklands, and they will receive the best treatment in these centres of excellence.
She added: “We know the issue of travel is a vital factor. Improvements to public transport are part of the overall project and the team has stressed they have a duty to ensure that bus services to the new location will be as good as, or better than, those to the current hospital site.
“I’m delighted to be involved in the project and the progress achieved by all involved has been marvellous. The new hospital will be an amazing asset for NHS Lanarkshire, those who work there and to all who use it, wherever they come from.”
Margaret agreed: “The new hospital will provide single rooms, excellent use of digital technology, suitable parking and accessibility; it will ensure patients, carers and staff will feel safe, comfortable and supported in the new environment.”
The Larkhall resident added: “I’ve been involved in influencing all aspects of the format and content of the new hospital as it will be very important to people in my area and across Lanarkshire.”
Community representatives from across Lanarkshire have been helping to advise on the hospital plans from the perspective of the public, patients, carers and visitors; and it will become the health board’s area-wide centre for its specialist treatment areas as well as providing emergency and unplanned care for local residents in the geographical catchment area.
Health board officials are planning for it to become Scotland’s first “digital hospital”; while planning work is also underway to construct the link road which will provide access to the site, anticipated to open in 2030 after two years of construction work.
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