Plans for a new cancer treatment centre in Lanarkshire have been approved, it has been reported.

According to the BBC, the £22m Lanarkshire Beatson centre will be situated at Monklands General Hospital in Airdrie.

The radiotherapy facility will have up to 80 patients a day who will receive treatment for breast, lung, prostate and rectal cancers.


Following the approval, work is now expected to begin on site within the next few weeks, with work completed and patients able to receive treatment in around 18 months time.

Welcoming the news, Health Secretary Alex Neil is quoted as saying: "This is an important step forward in this new £22m radiotherapy facility at Monklands Hospital, which will mean that more patients in the west of Scotland will be able to access the best possible treatment closer to home.

"This is very important as we drive home our message to detect cancer early, get treatment and see more people continuing to survive this disease."

(JP)