PLANS have been unveiled for the build of a new net zero hospital at Wester Moffat on the outskirts of Airdrie.
The new University Hospital Monklands would be the first hospital in Scotland to be designed from the outset to be fully net zero for both the build and operations phases.
NHS Lanarkshire said that the plans, created by Keppie Design, have been ‘expertly tailored’ to the landscape of the Wester Moffat Site – ensuring the ‘picturesque’ setting provides a ‘healing’ environment.
Keppie Design director, David Ross, commented, “With our experience of designing major hospital projects across the UK and internationally, Keppie are very pleased to be involved in plans to provide this ground-breaking new net zero carbon hospital, at a time when COP26 is prompting a vital and significant focus on the impact of environmental issues on our future.”
Scottish Government health secretary, Humza Yousaf, added, “At a time when Glasgow is hosting COP26, this project demonstrates our commitment that all new NHS Scotland buildings and major refurbishments will be designed to have net zero greenhouse emissions.
“The new Monklands Hospital is a key priority and will form part of the Scottish Government’s overall ambition of investing £10 billion over the next decade to replace and upgrade health facilities across Scotland.”
The Monklands Replacement Project director, Graeme Reid, commented, “We’re delighted to share this inspirational vision for our new hospital, which is being designed to achieve the Scottish Government’s net zero requirements.”
NHS Lanarkshire is also working with the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland Assure – the new service established to assess the quality and management of healthcare construction projects – as it continues to develop its outline business case, to be submitted to the Scottish Government for approval following sign-off through the new NHS Assure process during the course of 2022.
Julie Critchley, Director of NHS Scotland Assure said: “Supporting the development of the Monklands Replacement Project is a prime example of what NHS Scotland Assure was set up to do. In addition to ensuring that new hospital built environments are safe, fit for purpose and cost effective, one of our critical aims is to deliver sustainable services for the future. We will work with the project team throughout the full lifecycle of the build, from strategic assessment through to building operations and ongoing maintenance.
“Working with NHS Lanarkshire to deliver a net zero site will be very rewarding and our team look forward to supporting the development of one of the most significant hospitals in Scotland.”
The University Hospital Monklands is hoped to be operational by 2028.
