Fiona Cowan, MRP Clinical Lead – Nursing shows Mr Gray a patient bedroom

People can now step into a virtual reality version of Lanarkshire’s new hospital thanks to a futuristic digital immersive experience.

The Immersive Suite uses the latest technology to bring to life plans for the new University Hospital Monklands, set to open at Wester Moffat, Airdrie, in 2031.

The suite, operated by NHS Lanarkshire’s Monklands Replacement Project (MRP), represents the most up-to-date approach in major construction projects to engagement with the public and staff.

Immersive Suite exterior

The facility, at the existing University Hospital Monklands, was officially opened by Neil Gray, MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, at an event on 28 March.

Mr Gray was joined by Martin Hill, Chair of the Board of NHS Lanarkshire, Colin Lauder, NHS Lanarkshire Interim Chief Executive, and John O’Connor, Group Commercial Director at MRP construction partner Laing O’Rourke, along with representatives from the MRP team, senior clinicians and managers from University Hospital Monklands and community members, including school students, who have engaged with the project.

Group shot (from left): John O’Connor, Group Commercial Director at MRP construction partner Laing O’Rourke; Colin Lauder, NHS Lanarkshire Interim Chief Executive; Neil Gray MSP; Martin Hill, Chair of the Board of NHS Lanarkshire

“I’m absolutely thrilled to see the continued progress of the new University Hospital Monklands – it’s something I’ve been working on with NHS Lanarkshire for the 10 years I’ve represented Airdrie and Shotts.”

 

“The suite is a great opportunity for the NHS staff and the Lanarkshire public to visualise what is to come in this project, which is incredibly important for the local community and for Scotland.”

 

“The eyes of the nation are on the MRP as it works to deliver a state-of-the-art hospital, which will be environmentally friendly and future-proofed through its design and the digital technology it will use.”

 

“As well as the healthcare benefits, the economic opportunity of such a large project coming to this area – and the ‘wealth building’ principle of the MRP’s approach – are vital. There is huge economic investment coming in this area and the new Monklands is central to that.”

Mr Gray chats to school students Laya Caldwell (left), a Fifth Year pupil at Chryston High School, and Sophie White, a Fifth Year pupil at Trinity High School, Rutherglen, who are graduates of the MRP’s Summer School

Martin Hill, Chair of the Board of NHS Lanarkshire, said:

“It’s marvellous to see the Immersive Suite in action and witness the fantastic visuals it can display, which will be enormously helpful for our staff and the community to learn about the proposed design and layout of our new net zero hospital.”

 

“The use of digital technology to benefit patients and staff is at the forefront of our plans for the new Monklands, so it’s fitting that we have such a hi-tech facility at the heart of our engagement processes.”

Dr Jim Ruddy, MRP Clinical Lead – Medical, and Fiona Cowan, MRP Clinical Lead – Nursing, look at a video walkthrough of an operating theatre with Mr Gray

Colin Lauder, NHS Lanarkshire Interim Chief Executive, added:

“The Immersive Suite opening represents yet another important step forward on our journey to create a new state-of-the-art hospital for the communities of Lanarkshire.”

 

“It’s an ideal facility for our colleagues and the community to engage on the plans as we continue to develop our Full Business Case, with the aim of submitting it to the Scottish Government by the end of this year.”

 

“The suite has a 900-square-foot lecture theatre where sections of the hospital can be projected on three walls to give the audience an immersive experience and let them see departments and rooms at life size or on a grand scale. This includes areas such as a patient bedroom, an operating theatre, a consultation room and the Emergency Department waiting area.”

 

“There’s also a control room – an area of big screens that mirrors the ‘command centre’ that will be in the new hospital, providing real-time monitoring of key factors such as Emergency Department activity and ward occupancy rates.”

Guests look at the control room (screens showed dummy information during the event due to patient confidentiality and data security)

The suite, constructed by Laing O’Rourke, will support engagement during design development and hospital construction and occupation. It will also provide a venue for elements of the project’s vital Community Benefits programme, which focuses on job creation, apprenticeships, learning opportunities, support for businesses large and small, and environmental enhancements.

Line-up (from left): MRP Director Graeme Reid; John O’Connor, Group Commercial Director, Laing O’Rourke; Dr Gordon McNeish, NHS Lanarkshire Associate Medical Director for Unscheduled Care; CJ Graham, University Hospital Monklands (UHM) Site Director (face blocked from view); Colin Lauder, NHS Lanarkshire Interim Chief Executive; Neil Strangeways, MRP Commercial Leader, Laing O’Rourke; UHM Chief of Nursing Services Craig Kingstree; Laya Caldwell, a Fifth Year pupil at Chryston High School; Neil Gray MSP; Margaret Moncrieff, South Lanarkshire rep with the MRP’s public engagement forum; Abbey Gore, Laing O’Rourke Digital Change and Enablement Principal; Sophie White, a Fifth Year pupil at Trinity High School, Rutherglen; Martin Hill, Chair of the Board of NHS Lanarkshire; UHM Physiotherapy Lead Lorraine Senior; UHM surgeon Ms May Yaneza, Chair of Monklands Medical Staff Association; Fiona Cowan, MRP Clinical Lead – Nursing; Senior Charge Nurse Karen Murray; Andy Thomson, Laing O’Rourke Project Director.