WORK on a new hospital has reached another milestone after NHS Lanarkshire completed the purchase of a site for the new facility.

Around 161.5 acres of land at Wester Moffat in Airdrie has been acquired, marking an important step in providing a brand new University Hospital Monklands.

NHS Lanarkshire chief executive Heather Knox said: “We’re delighted by the successful conclusion of the purchase of Wester Moffat Farm to provide a home for the new University Hospital Monklands, which is being designed to offer the best possible healthcare to local communities for decades to come.

Glasgow Times:

“Through the acquisition of the site the Scottish Government has once again underlined its strong commitment to the Monklands Replacement Project and the benefits an ultra-modern replacement hospital will bring.

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“Confirmation of the land purchase is very welcome news as we continue to develop the project’s business case.”

Humza Yousaf, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, said: “I am very pleased the acquisition of the Wester Moffat site has been successfully concluded.

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“This is a significant milestone and yet again it demonstrates the Scottish Government’s commitment to support the replacement of University Hospital Monklands.”

Neil Gray, MSP for Airdrie and Shotts has also reacted to the news. He worked closely with NHS Lanarkshire bosses to ensure the hospital remained in the constituency instead of moving to Gartcosh.

Mr Gray said: “This is huge step forward in the journey to seeing the replacement Monklands Hospital come to fruition.

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"The process of building anything is never a done deal until the construction work is started but I am delighted that the land earmarked for this is now secured. 

“Along with the building of the East Airdrie Link Road, the town is going to see some significant changes over the next few years and I look forward to seeing both these projects completed and the lives of the folk of Airdrie & Shotts enhanced by better health care and transport links.”