The Monklands Replacement Project to develop a new hospital at Wester Moffat, Airdrie, has reached another milestone.

NHS Lanarkshire Board met on Wednesday 30 November 2022 to consider a draft outline business case (OBC) for the new hospital.

The Board agreed to submit the OBC to the Scottish Government for their consideration and approval as the next stage in the formal approval process.

In approving the business case, the Board acknowledged the current uncertainty surrounding the overall UK and Scottish fiscal position and the potential impact on the project.

Colin Lauder, NHS Lanarkshire’s Director of Planning, Performance and Property said: “This is an important milestone and we would like to thank all of the many staff and other stakeholders for the enormous amount of work they have done to bring the project to this stage.

“We recognise this is a challenging time to bring forward such a major capital development given the wider financial pressures. However, there is a strong business case to do so.

“In order to give the project the best chance of moving through the funding approval process the OBC includes a revised timescale for the ground works at Wester Moffat.

“It had originally been hoped to begin ground works at Wester Moffat next year by seeking early release of funding prior to final approval of the full business case.

“We have now scheduled the ground works for later in the project timeline at a point when there is expected to be greater clarity on the overall financial position of NHS Scotland.

“This does have an impact on the estimated completion date for the project which is likely to move from 2028 to 2031. The final programme timescales will be agreed when the full business case is submitted in 2024.

“We know the people of Lanarkshire and our staff are as eager as we are for the new hospital to open its doors as soon as possible. However, we are advised that this is the most viable way forward for the project in light of the current financial uncertainty.”