NHS Lanarkshire has been given the go-ahead to develop an outline business case to rebuild or refurbish Monklands Hospital.

This is following Scottish Government approval for the Initial Agreement to seek a capital allocation for the project.

Colin Sloey, NHS Lanarkshire Director of Strategic Planning and Performance, said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Government has formally approved the Initial Agreement and that we can begin the process of creating an outline business case.

“The development of the outline business case will be undertaken in the broader context of achieving the aims of the Health and Social Care Delivery Plan. In doing so, we recognise the need to work collaboratively with other health boards in the region to ensure the benefit is maximised for the whole of the population we serve.”

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “Considerable investment has gone into Monklands Hospital in recent years and we have now asked NHS Lanarkshire to produce an outline business case that considers the needs of the population right across the West of Scotland and delivers excellent care and value for money.

“The level of potential investment involved in this programme is significant, so any final decision will be subject to future Scottish Government budgets and will be taken in the context of improving the quality of clinical service provision right across Scotland.”

The whole business case process will take between two to three years to complete and this has to be finalised before any building work can start.