On 25 June 2026, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care, Angela Constance MSP, made a statement to the Scottish Parliament about the future of the Monklands Replacement Project. This page answers the questions we expect patients, the public and our staff will have following that announcement.

We are disappointed that we cannot continue with the current plans for a new Monklands hospital, but we welcome the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to delivering a replacement for University Hospital Monklands, and its commitment to invest in community services. We will work closely and urgently with the Scottish Government to progress a new hospital for Lanarkshire in a way that is deliverable, affordable and provides the best value for patients.

This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

• The Scottish Government remains committed to building a new Monklands hospital.
• The current Full Business Case and design will not proceed, as the cost — upwards of £2.1 billion — is considered unaffordable.
• The project now moves into a “reset” phase to develop a more affordable, sustainable plan, with revised options expected to go to Ministers in 2027.
• Core services will be retained in the new hospital, including A&E.
• University Hospital Monklands continues to run as normal, with targeted investment to address current infrastructure pressures.
• NHS Lanarkshire will continue to play a central role, and the work done so far will help shape the next stage.

What has the Scottish Government announced?

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care confirmed that the Monklands Replacement Project will not proceed in its current form. The current Full Business Case for the new hospital has not been approved. Instead, the programme will move into a formal “reset” phase to develop a revised, more affordable and sustainable approach. The Scottish Government has been clear that its commitment to building a new Monklands hospital has not changed.

Has the new Monklands hospital been cancelled?

No. The Scottish Government has reaffirmed its commitment to deliver a new Monklands hospital. What is changing is how the project will be taken forward: the current design and business case will not proceed, and a revised approach will be developed during the reset phase. The need for modern, safe and sustainable hospital services for the people of Lanarkshire has not changed.

Why can’t the current plans go ahead?

The Scottish Government concluded that the Full Business Case could not be approved in its current form. This reflects the scale and cost of the proposal, and the need to make sure any major investment is affordable, deliverable, represents value for money, and aligns with the future direction of health and care.

How much was the project expected to cost?

The Scottish Government confirmed the current cost as upwards of £2.1 billion. It has said this would be the single largest health capital investment in Scotland — larger than projects such as the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and HMP Glasgow — and that this is unaffordable within the current financial position.

Who made this decision?

The decision was taken by the Scottish Government. It was announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care, Angela Constance MSP, in a statement to Parliament on 25 June 2026, and confirmed in a letter to NHS Lanarkshire the same day.

What is the “reset” phase?

The reset phase is a period of redesign. Its purpose is to develop a revised approach that delivers a new hospital as part of an affordable, sustainable, whole-system model of care across Lanarkshire and the wider West of Scotland. This means looking not only at the hospital building itself, but at how hospital, community and regional services fit together. This redesign work will begin this summer.

How long will the reset take, and when will a decision be made?

The Scottish Government expects this work to be completed over the next 12 months, with revised options brought forward for Ministerial consideration after that. The aim is to bring forward refreshed plans for a decision as early as possible in 2027.

What is “West of Scotland sub-national planning”, and why is it involved?

West of Scotland sub-national planning arrangements bring health boards across the West of Scotland together to plan services regionally. Because decisions about a new Monklands hospital affect service configuration, capacity and investment across the wider region, the reset phase will be taken forward through these arrangements, supported by the Scottish Government.

Will NHS Lanarkshire still lead the project?

NHS Lanarkshire will continue to play a central and critical role. The Scottish Government has been clear that NHS Lanarkshire’s clinical leadership, local knowledge and project expertise will be essential to shaping a revised model and making sure it can be delivered. Detailed governance arrangements for the reset — including roles and responsibilities — will be developed with the Scottish Government and confirmed in the coming period.

What happens to all the work that has already been done? Has it been wasted?

No. A great deal of work, expertise and commitment from clinical teams, staff, patients, communities and partners has gone into developing the current plans over a number of years. That work has been instrumental in establishing the case for change and will help to inform the next stage of planning. We will make sure it continues to shape how services are delivered in future.

Will there be further public consultation, and how will people be involved?

The arrangements for engagement and consultation during the reset are still to be confirmed as part of the new governance for the programme. What is clear is that NHS Lanarkshire is committed to involving staff, patients, families, communities and partners as the work develops, and a communications and engagement plan is being put in place. We will set out how people can take part as soon as those arrangements are agreed.

What does this mean for patients?

Patient safety and continuity of services remain the immediate priority. University Hospital Monklands will continue to provide acute services as normal throughout the reset period. Patients should continue to attend their appointments as usual.

Will services at University Hospital Monklands change in the meantime?

The existing hospital will continue to provide acute services during the reset. There is no change to how patients access services as a result of this announcement. If any changes to individual services were needed in future, these would be communicated clearly and in the usual way.

Will the new hospital still have an A&E?

Yes. The Scottish Government has confirmed that core services will be retained in the new acute Monklands hospital, including Accident & Emergency (A&E).

Is the current hospital safe? What about its ageing buildings?

Maintaining safe and effective services at University Hospital Monklands remains an immediate priority for NHS Lanarkshire. The existing site has known infrastructure pressures, which is part of the reason a replacement hospital is needed. The Scottish Government has confirmed it will continue to work with NHS Lanarkshire to support the existing site, including targeted investment to maintain safe and effective services and address those pressures.

What investment will be made in the existing hospital?

The Scottish Government has confirmed that targeted investment will be made in the existing University Hospital Monklands site to address current infrastructure pressures while the revised proposal is developed. NHS Lanarkshire will work with the Scottish Government to agree the scope, priorities and timing of this investment.

What will happen to the existing Monklands hospital site in the longer term?

No decision has been taken on the long-term future of the existing University Hospital Monklands site. The immediate priority is to keep services running safely there during the reset period. The longer-term use of the site will be considered as part of the wider planning work, and we will share more information when it becomes available.

What are Community Health Hubs?

Community Health Hubs bring a range of services together in modern facilities closer to where people live. This can include general practice, community nursing, mental health care, diagnostics and outpatient services. The aim is to provide quicker access and earlier intervention in the community, and to reduce pressure on acute hospitals so they can focus on people who need specialist care.

What new community services are coming to Lanarkshire?

As part of the announcement, the Scottish Government confirmed new Community Health Hubs in Hamilton and Cumbernauld, two GP walk-in facilities in Shotts in North Lanarkshire, and a shop-front walk-in facility in Lanark in South Lanarkshire (which NHS Lanarkshire was already progressing). Further work will be done with the Scottish Government, Integration Joint Boards, local authorities and primary care partners to confirm the scope, timing, funding and delivery of these services.

How do these community services relate to the new hospital?

The reset phase looks at the whole system of care, not just the hospital building. Strengthening community-based services is part of making sure care is delivered in the right place — closer to home where appropriate, and in hospital when specialist care is needed. These developments will be considered alongside the new hospital and existing services as the revised model is developed.

We know this announcement raises questions for our staff, and that for many colleagues – particularly those who have worked on the project over a number of years. It will be unsettling. The answers below address some of the main questions staff may have. We will continue to engage with staff and staff side as the reset progresses, and further detail will follow.

I work at University Hospital Monklands. Does this affect me?

University Hospital Monklands continues to operate as normal, and there is no immediate change to services or to your role as a result of this announcement. The site will continue to provide acute services throughout the reset period, supported by targeted investment to address infrastructure pressures.

How will staff be kept informed and supported?

NHS Lanarkshire began speaking with staff as soon as possible following the announcement, including direct engagement with teams and senior leadership presence. We are committed to sustained, open engagement as the reset progresses. We will continue to work closely with Staff Side, and support is available to colleagues affected by the announcement through our usual staff support channels.

What happens to the expertise the project team has built up?

The knowledge, technical expertise and clinical leadership developed through the project are highly valued and will be important to the next phase. The Scottish Government has recognised that this expertise will be an important consideration as arrangements for the redesign are established.

How will NHS Lanarkshire keep people informed?

We will work urgently and constructively with the Scottish Government to provide updates as soon as we are able. The Scottish Government has also committed to keeping stakeholders updated over the coming year. Updates will be shared on the Monklands Replacement Project website and through NHS Lanarkshire’s usual channels.

Where can I find more information?

Further information will be published on the Monklands Replacement Project website at www.monklands.org as it becomes available. The Scottish Government’s statement is available on gov.scot.