NHS Lanarkshire is planning to create a centre of excellence for cancer services at Monklands Hospital to deliver high-quality diagnosis, treatment and care for patients.

There are already existing centres of excellence at Monklands for radiotherapy in the Lanarkshire Beatson and for haematology. It is also the location of the Lanarkshire Maggie’s Centre.

Judith Park, director of access for NHS Lanarkshire’s acute division and lead for cancer, said, “We already have some first-class cancer services at Monklands Hospital and we plan to build on this approach by locating any future cancer developments at Monklands.

“We want to focus chemotherapy treatment at Monklands to allow us to develop world-class services to ensure the best possible chance that we continue to reduce the mortality rates for cancer in Lanarkshire.”

Cancer outpatient services for Lanarkshire residents will continue to be provided at other locations such as Hairmyres, Wishaw General and the Beatson Cancer Centre.

NHS Lanarkshire’s healthcare strategy also proposes an outreach approach to chemotherapy to provide treatment in the community or within people’s homes.