THE estimated completion date of a new hospital in Lanarkshire is set to be pushed back by three years.

The Monklands Replacement Project has reached another milestone after NHS Lanarkshire Board agreed to submit a draft outline business case (OBC) to the Scottish Government for their consideration and approval.

As previously reported, the new hospital will be built at Wester Moffat, Airdrie.

However, groundworks due to take place at Wester Moffat next year have now been put on hold until a later date.

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.

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“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 groundworks at Wester Moffat.

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

“We have now scheduled the groundworks 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.”