Graham Construction is continuing work on a £19 million hospital refurbishment project in North Lanarkshire.

The contractor is redeveloping Monklands Hospital in Airdrie on behalf of NHS Lanarkshire.

The scheme involves a complex, 12-phase upgrade and replacement of the Surgical Department to provide seven new operating suites, including two ultra clean theatres, recovery area, reception and relatives' area.

Phase one of the project, which includes a new £5.5m 10-bed intensive Care Unit, has already been completed. Work is to begin on Phase 4, which involves the delivery of two new theatres.

The overall development is expected to be completed in spring 2018.

-- Advertisement --

As part of the project, Coatbridge and Chryston MSP Fulton MacGregor, accompanied by 12 students from New College Lanarkshire, recently visited the project site.

Mr MacGregor said: "I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit the site at Monklands and hear from both Graham and New College Lanarkshire about the work going on to improve skills in the area, through apprenticeships and college courses.

"Having heard previously about the skills shortage in construction I am pleased that there is a combined effort from all stakeholders to encourage more people into construction.

"It is also encouraging to see investment at our local hospital and I look forward to seeing the results of this capital investment."

James Mulroy, Graham Construction's Senior Project Manager, added: "We've designed the construction programme to ensure that the local community still has full access to the hospital while building work is being carried out.

"While that makes the project a bit more challenging than normal, we've got a great deal of experience in similar developments throughout the UK."

Image: MSP MacGregor meets apprentices at Monklands Hospital Site.

(LM/JP)