Following extensive communications and engagement work, NHS Lanarkshire has gathered a large amount of feedback to its current public consultation on the replacement or refurbishment of University Hospital Monklands.
A proposal for a new-build hospital at Gartcosh is being consulted on after it emerged from an option appraisal process as the highest scoring option when compared to ongoing maintenance of the current building, a rebuild on the current site or a move to a location in Glenmavis.
Opportunities for the public and NHS Lanarkshire staff to give their views have been highlighted in the local press, on a dedicated website, via social media, on posters and through the distribution of 10,000 consultation documents to hospitals, health centres, libraries, pharmacies and at meetings.
The consultation website – monklands.scot.nhs.uk – has a “frequently asked questions” section that is being regularly updated to reflect feedback from the public.
A number of videos are on the website and on NHS Lanarkshire’s social media and YouTube page, covering issues highlighted by the public, including the potential to build on the current Monklands site and the alternative locations that were considered apart from Glenmavis and Gartcosh.
The 11 public meetings held so far in North and South Lanarkshire have drawn a combined audience of nearly 600 people to feed back their views and ask questions of the Monklands Replacement/Refurbishment Project (MRRP) team.
A second information roadshow will be held at University Hospital Monklands on 27 September, from 1-2pm in the hospital restaurant and 2-5pm at the main entrance.
Engagement with NHS Lanarkshire staff has also been undertaken along with presentations to community councils, community groups and key organisations such as local area partnerships.
MRRP director Graeme Reid said: “I’m delighted that we have had so much informative and thoughtful feedback from the public about this fantastic opportunity to build a state-of-the-art hospital for Lanarkshire.
“Since the consultation began on 16 July, we’ve had over 600 responses through the online questionnaire on our website, which is also full of useful information and videos about the consultation.
“There have been a number of written consultation responses as well as letters seeking information, and comments and questions to the dedicated email address – monklands.consultation@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk.
“I want to urge even more people to take the opportunity to comment on the plans for the hospital’s future before the consultation comes to an end on 15 October.
“All this feedback will be collated and a thematic analysis will be produced for the NHS Lanarkshire Board to consider before making its decision on a preferred option for the hospital at its meeting in November.”
For full information on the consultation visit www.monklands.scot.nhs.uk.
