NHS Lanarkshire has thanked the community for their feedback during the two-month process of engagement on proposals for future provision of elective (planned) orthopaedic surgery.

Elective orthopaedics is planned surgery, primarily to replace the main bony joints, such as hip, knee and shoulders, and for repairs to the associated tissue.

NHS Lanarkshire’s proposal is to transfer this service from its current location at University Hospital Hairmyres in East Kilbride to the new University Hospital Monklands, at Wester Moffat on the outskirts of Airdrie, when it opens around 2028. This preferred option has been proposed by officers of NHS Lanarkshire.

The engagement process, which came to a close on 30 September, asked for the views of stakeholders before a final decision is made.

NHS Lanarkshire director of planning, property & performance Colin Lauder said: “I’d like to thanks all those members of the public, our staff and other stakeholders who provided their valuable feedback at our virtual public events and through our online survey, email and social media comments.

“The community’s feedback will be among a range of information the Board of NHS Lanarkshire will receive to assist their deliberations when they meet later this year to consider a decision on the future provision of planned orthopaedic surgery.”

Orthopaedic outpatient care will continue to be available at Lanarkshire’s three acute hospitals. The proposals don’t affect Lanarkshire’s orthopaedic trauma service – urgent and emergency care for people who have broken bones – which will continue to be located at University Hospital Wishaw as part of the West of Scotland Major Trauma Network.

An outline business case for the new University Hospital Monklands is expected to be submitted for approval to the Scottish Government by the end of this year, meaning a decision is needed now on whether or not provision of elective orthopaedic surgery should be part of the business case.