Work continues to take place on the business case process for the Monklands Redevelopment Refurbishment Project (MRRP).

Feedback from Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate’s Capital Investment Group acknowledges the strength of the case. However, further information is required before we can proceed to the outline business case.

Calum Campbell, chief executive, said: “The Initial Agreement has to be consistent with the West of Scotland Regional Service Plan. Also, given the financial challenges facing the NHS throughout the UK, the Scottish Government require additional assurance that a capital investment of this size will deliver the best outcomes for the population it will serve.

“The Scottish Government remain supportive and to meeting the overall timescales set out in the Initial Agreement.”

Speaking on a visit to Monklands Hospital, Paul Gray, chief executive for NHS Scotland, said: “I was really excited to hear of the improvements staff are making, recognising the constraints of the hospital, and their real commitment to improving patient care and pathways.

“It has been a great help to me to understand the constraints staff are working under but also the opportunities they see to develop the systems and processes they have for the benefit of the patients.”