The project to create the new University Hospital Monklands has won two prestigious national and international awards.

At the European Healthcare Design Conference in London, the Monklands Replacement Project (MRP) was highly commended in the Future Healthcare Design category.

This was in recognition of the MRP’s potential to deliver outstanding outcomes in master planning, wellness, pandemic preparedness, sustainable development and “place-making” – designing for people and place rather than engineering environments, based on the needs of local communities.

The commendation also reflects MRP’s support for the goals of NHS Lanarkshire’s healthcare strategy, Our Health Together, in improving the wellbeing of the community beyond just healthcare.

The team, including project architects Keppie Design, was also invited to speak at the conference about the “ripple effect” of the new hospital and how this will be a driver for regeneration in the local and wider communities.

(Front row) Graeme Reid, MRP Director; Suzanne Tighe, Keppie Associate; David Ross, Keppie Director; Fiona Cowan, MRP Clinical Lead – Nursing with Award Judges (Back row).

Keppie Associate Suzanne Tighe, said::

“Having been closely involved with the MRP since the early stages, it’s been hugely rewarding to support the development of a project that aims to improve the wellbeing of the community beyond simply healthcare.

“I’m personally delighted that the ambition of such an important project was recognised by the judging panel.”

At the UK Planning Awards, also held in London, the project won the award for Infrastructure Planning.

Chris Mitchell, Associate Director at Keppie (left) and MRP Director Graeme Reid, with the award presenter.

Chris Mitchell, Associate Director at Keppie, who are also the project’s planning consultants, said:

“We’re delighted to have picked up this planning award.

“It is testament to the tenacity of NHS Lanarkshire in striving to deliver a new hospital of the highest design and environmental standards, but to also provide the ripple effect benefits to the wider community and associated public health outcomes.”

MRP Director Graeme Reid added:

“The new University Hospital Monklands project is a game-changer for healthcare design and delivery in Scotland. It’s gratifying to see the passion, enthusiasm and commitment of such a large team of people – from NHS Lanarkshire and our stakeholders, through to our construction partner and the design team – being recognised by the awarding of these accolades.”