The Project
The Monklands Replacement Project (MRP) vision is for a new future-looking clinical model, putting patient care at the centre of the planning and redesign process.
Plans for the hospital have been developed by a highly knowledgeable team with expertise in delivering first-class healthcare projects.
Location and Connectivity
NHS Lanarkshire undertook a comprehensive and detailed exercise to assess site options for the development of a replacement for University Hospital Monklands.
This process, run over a number of years, resulted in Wester Moffat, east of Airdrie, being selected as the preferred site of the new hospital. Wester Moffat was formally confirmed as the preferred location by the Cabinet Secretary for Health & Sport in January 2021. This was further ratified by the approval of the projects Outline Business Case in July 2023.
Site Plans
The site is located approximately 2.5km to the east of Airdrie Town Centre at an area known as Wester Moffat. The redline boundary, illustrated in red on the image below, defines the extent of the proposed hospital development.
Access to the new hospital will be provided by the East Airdrie Link Road, a City Deal scheme being developed by North Lanarkshire Council.
“The new facility will be located on a site at Wester Moffat, east of Airdrie, and will provide our clinical staff a new truly modern working environment to help them deliver the best possible care to patients. It will also create economic benefits for the local community and for companies across Lanarkshire and Scotland.”
Graeme Reid
Project Director
Monklands Replacement Project
‘The Village’ Concept
The philosophy behind the development of New Monklands Hospital is to create an environment that is based on a human scale and provides interesting spatial experiences to both adults and children. The building is divided into separate areas or districts, each with its own identity but unified as part of the “town” plan. The main pedestrian street is the spine of the building, connecting the different districts and establishing a hierarchy and sense of place. The overall aim is to create a successful town or village plan that promotes public and clinical interaction.
Street
Civic
Work
Home
Green
Design
The overall size and configuration of the emerging hospital design is based firmly on the future model of care which seeks to optimise departmental adjacencies (having specific departments next to or close to each other to maximise ease of care provision). It will also, encourage teamwork between related specialties, improve patient flow, reduce duplication of spaces and create an environment focused on the specific needs of patients, visitors and staff that promotes safety, recovery and well-being.
Clinical Model Plans
The new Monklands facility will be equipped with an array of specialist departments that are crucial for a major acute hospital, comprising single en-suite bedrooms and facilities such as operating theatres, emergency department, endoscopy, infectious diseases, critical care, renal, radiotherapy, imaging and outpatient departments.
Sustainability & Net Zero Carbon
As the pioneer of NHS Scotland’s new Net Zero Carbon Standard for Public Sector Buildings, the project has ambitious net zero carbon goals. Embodied carbon reduction is being vigorously pursued through strict targets, the use of non-fossil fuel primary energy sources and a reduction in operational carbon. The project team’s net zero and embodied carbon experts have also been utilising innovative thermal modelling programs to minimise the hospital’s carbon footprint.
“Sustainability lies at the core of the project’s design philosophy. The Monklands Replacement Project aims to be low carbon, helping NHS Scotland deliver a net zero carbon health service.”
Graeme Reid
Director
Monklands Replacement Project
Sustainable Design
Ecology and biodiversity are integral components of the project plans. The project seeks to make the most of the natural environment in which the hospital will be located, including the connection to and enhancement of the North Calder Heritage Trail.
Emphasis is being placed on connecting patients, staff and the public with the outdoors, providing spaces that promote both active enjoyment and peaceful reflection for enhanced well-being.
Digital Innovation
The new fully digital hospital will ensure safer and better patient care using digital technology and real-time information to support an efficient and effective patient journey.
The core characteristics of this digital hospital are categorised as:
• Accessibility & Automation
• Mobilisation & Connectivity
• Patient Empowerment
• Integration, Interoperability & Efficiency.
This is an opportunity to create a hospital fit for the challenges of the 2030’s and beyond, using modern digital technology to assist in clinical, operational and building excellence. This will assist the clinical workforce in delivering safe and high-quality care, whilst also supporting new ways of working that promote staff health and wellbeing, create an enhanced patient experience and maximise efficiencies
