WIREDGOV

Green light for two major health projects 

The Scottish Government has approved two health projects, totalling more than £90 million, as part of a continued drive to deliver modern health facilities in Scotland’s communities.

The projects, which include development of the East Lothian Community Hospital and refurbishment of operating theatres in Monklands General Hospital, have now received initial agreement and outline business case approval.

The £75 million development of East Lothian Community Hospital will provide orthopaedics, stroke rehabilitation, enhanced imaging, and a social care day unit. Construction on the site could begin in 2015, with services operational by the end of 2017.

The £17.9 million investment at Monklands General Hospital will see the creation of a new ten-bed intensive care unit and refurbishment of seven existing operating theatres bringing critical-care beds together in a new modern unit. With work planned to begin by the end of 2014 it is expected to be completed in 2018.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said:

“Having the best health facilities and services, in the right place is rightly important to patients and that is why I am delighted that these two projects have been given the green light.

“This considerable investment reflects the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensure that every patient in Scotland has access to world class care in innovative health facilities.

“By developing purpose built community services and ensure our hospitals have state-of-the-art facilities we will ensure that all patients get the highest possible standards of care across all of our NHS services.”

David Small, Joint Director, East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership said:

“We are delighted that our initial plans for the new East Lothian Community Hospital have been approved by the Scottish Government.

“This is a major step forward in the overall process to build a new community hospital in East Lothian. The new building will bring an overall increase in capacity from what is currently available locally and some services provided outside of East Lothian are likely to move back to the county once it’s completed.

“The continued support of the local communities in East Lothian is vital as we move ahead with these exciting proposals.”

Colin Sloey, NHS Lanarkshire Director of Strategic Planning and Performance, said:

“We are delighted that the Scottish Government has approved the outline business case. Monklands Hospital is the subject of on-going investment to ensure that all facilities in the hospital are able to support the ever increasing levels of demand for specialist acute clinical care and meet the highest standards of treatment and care now, and in future years.”

Rhona Roberton, Director of Hospital Services for Monklands Hospital, said: 

“The refurbishment and upgrade work will provide a facility which is fitted to the highest standards, improve the provision of ICU care and modernise healthcare delivery at Monklands Hospital.”

Notes To Editors

Background

Costs for East Lothian Community Hospital will be further defined through the Outline Business Case for the project. This will be submitted by April 2015 at which point exact funding will be confirmed