Kilsyth will have its say on hospital plans

NHS Lanarkshire has agreed to make a presentation in Kilsyth about its future plans for University Hospital Monklands.

The health board is proposing a replacement or refurbishment of the facility with a new build at Gartcosh emerging from an appraisal exercise as the highest scoring option.

Public meetings have been held all over Lanarkshire, including one in Cumbernauld last month, to facilitate discussion and feedback about the plans.

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The consultation period is due to end on October 15 with the NHS Lanarkshire Board due to make a decision on its preferred option at its meeting in November.

Extra meetings have been added to the schedule for Shotts, Airdrie and Coatbridge which prompted Kilsyth resident TJ Dowds to write to the Chronicle to request a meeting take place in the town.

They wrote: “In August well over a hundred people attended a meeting in Bron Way to take part in a discussion on proposals to replace Monklands Hospital with a new hospital,

“The meeting at 6.30pm made it very difficult for people to attend from Croy, Kilsyth, etc, if they were working. But accepted the Board had a timetable to give those in all areas opportunity to express their views.

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“However, it has emerged that the Board, under pressure from Airdrie and Coatbridge, had arranged for an extra meeting in both towns. This means Airdrie and Coatbridge will have four meetings, while this area will be limited to the single meeting held in Cumbernauld.

“Cumbernauld and Kilsyth must act now to demand further meetings in Kilsyth and elsewhere in the area, otherwise, it is likely that the Board may be coerced into ignoring the interests of the northern corridor.”

NHS Lanarkshire believes it has been proactive is seeking views from Kilsyth residents, but will now make a presentation at Kilsyth and Villages Forum on Monday.

Planning, property and performance Colin Lauder said: “A public meeting was held in Cumbernauld and we have also engaged with residents of the Kilsyth area through a presentation and opportunity for questions at the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Local Area Partnership.

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“In addition, we have accepted an invitation to present at Kilsyth and Villages Community Forum on October 1 at 7pm in St Patrick’s Primary School.

“The public can also find extensive information about the consultation on our dedicated website – www.monklands.scot.nhs.uk – which includes the consultation document, an at-a-glance guide, frequently asked questions, a series of videos and an online questionnaire for consultation responses.”

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