Improving figures for bowel screening in Lanarkshire gave a positive flavour to coverage in the Hamilton Advertiser, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser, East Kilbride News and Rutherglen Reformer.

NHS Lanarkshire achieved a key national target on cancer treatment waiting times in 2015, reported the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser and the Wishaw Press, while a review of the use of e-cigarettes in hospital grounds interested the Hamilton Advertiser and the East Kilbride News.

The Evening Times told how the family of the late philanthropist and human rights campaigner Leslie Wolfson have praised NHS Lanarkshire staff for the care they gave him through his final illness. Well-known lawyer Mr Wolfson was treated at Hairmyres Hospital and now a charitable trust set up by Mr Wolfson and his wife Alma has provided support for the John’s Campaign dementia care initiative at the hospital.

The Hamilton Advertiser said delighted couple Lynn and Tony Donnelly returned to Wishaw General to thank the staff who saved their twin boys’ lives.

More positive news came with reports in the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser and Wishaw Press that a film created by NHS Lanarkshire’s Ending Violence and Abuse services has been nominated for an award while NHS Lanarkshire has launched a new initiative to support people following treatment for lung cancer as part of the Transforming Care After Treatment programme, said the East Kilbride News.

There was little coverage on the negative side apart from a reader’s letter in the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser criticising the proposed closure of the dermatology ward at Monklands Hospital.