The Board of NHS Lanarkshire yesterday approved proposals to implement the recommendations of the Independent Review of the process followed by the Monklands Replacement/Refurbishment Project.

Neena Mahal, Chair of the NHS Lanarkshire Board, said: “I am pleased that the Board has now approved detailed plans in response to the recommendations of the Independent Review Panel.
“The Board recognised these proposals focus on the need for greater transparency and on taking account of the public’s views, including the use of independent advisers to oversee further engagement work.

“This will allow the Monklands Replacement Project (MRP) to move forward as we address the urgent need to provide a new University Hospital Monklands for the communities of Lanarkshire.”

In its report, published in late June, the Independent Review Panel recommended NHS Lanarkshire should:
1. appoint additional independent membership to the Monklands Replacement/Refurbishment Project (MRRP) Board;
2. re-evaluate the two top scoring options for the location of the new hospital – Gartcosh and Glenmavis. This re-evaluation should “explicitly and transparently take account of the views of the public, obtained following an inclusive process and in line with appropriate recognised approaches.”
3. develop a clear vision for the existing University Hospital Monklands site that takes into account the views of the local community.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport Jeane Freeman subsequently asked NHS Lanarkshire to identify any other viable sites for the hospital during its re-evaluation process.

Colin Lauder, NHS Lanarkshire director of property, planning and performance, outlined the actions that will be taken to implement the three recommendations.

He said: “In response to the first recommendation, a new Monklands Replacement Oversight Board will be established, chaired by Dr Lesley Thomson QC, a non-executive director of NHS

Lanarkshire’s Board. It will also involve other non-executive directors including the employee director, ensuring that staff engagement is at the heart of the project.

“Membership will include a number of independent, external members – one of whom will be known locally – along with four patient/public forum representatives, two each from North and South Lanarkshire, to provide greater public confidence in the project going forward.”

In relation to the second recommendation, Colin explained that the site re-evaluation process will involve three stages.

He said: “Firstly, we will work with North Lanarkshire Council and others to identify and assess potential sites, using the selection criteria that identified Gartcosh and Glenmavis as viable locations.”

The criteria are:
• Must sit within University Hospital Monklands unscheduled care catchment area;
• Must be a minimum of 40 developable acres;
• Site must have no detrimental impact on adjoining unscheduled catchment areas of hospitals in Lanarkshire, Glasgow or Forth Valley;
• Site must be designated to permit appropriate development;
• Site must have sufficient road and transport infrastructure to support the development of a major hospital site.

Colin continued: “Secondly, a further public engagement process will be held, designed and co-ordinated by an independent adviser to ensure public confidence. It will gather feedback on the proposed hospital locations and will involve the publication of detailed information on key issues of interest to the public such as: existing and planned road infrastructure around the sites; records showing previous use; site investigation reports; impact on hospital catchment areas; travel information including drive times and public transport provision.

“NHS Lanarkshire will also ensure that there is continuing extensive engagement with its staff.

“Thirdly, there will be an independently-chaired re-evaluation exercise for Gartcosh, Glenmavis and any new sites identified. This will involve a large group of stakeholders including members of the public. We recognise that the selection of public participants is key so decisions on who will take part will be made with the advice and direction of the independent engagement adviser.

“To address recommendation three, our vision for the current hospital site involves a proposal to make it available for redevelopment by a partnership involving NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council, Strathclyde University and other partners. The goal would be to use a Place-Based Approach – which involves thinking about physical elements such as buildings, spaces and transport links, along with social aspects – to provide facilities to improve the health and wellbeing of local people, reducing their health inequalities and providing the opportunity for economic regeneration in the area.

“We look forward to implementing these proposals to help us progress the MRP, which represents a fantastic opportunity for the people of Lanarkshire to have a state-of-the-art facility that will serve patients for decades to come.”