The cost of a new super-hospital in the SNP health secretary's constituency has reportedly trebled to more than £2 billion, with a three-year delay. The University Hospital Monklands (UHM), located in the Airdrie seat defended by Neil Gray in the upcoming election, was initially priced at around £700 million three years ago, with a target opening in 2028. However, according to The Times, the cost is now expected to exceed £2 billion, pushing the opening date to 2031.
Political Reactions
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane criticised the SNP, stating: 'The SNP are incapable of delivering any infrastructure project on time or on budget - and that includes a hospital in the health secretary's own constituency. Patients in Neil Gray's seat are paying a heavy price for the Nationalists' incompetence. He and John Swinney must come clean before polling day on when Monklands hospital will finally open and by how much the cost to taxpayers has spiralled. This must not become another money pit, like the ferries fiasco or the replacement for Barlinnie prison.'
He added: 'The SNP will continue to squander taxpayers' money on an industrial scale if they win a majority on May 7. That's why it's essential that voters across the country back the Scottish Conservatives on their peach ballot paper.'
Delays and Budget Concerns
It was also reported that the business case for the UHM was submitted to ministers five months ago, but approval was not signed off before the election campaign. Former SNP health secretary Alex Neil told the Sunday Mail he had 'no doubt' that First Minister John Swinney had plans for 'big cuts' after the election to cope with a looming £5 billion budget black hole.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: 'Once again SNP chaos is threatening to undermine our NHS. Time and time again spiralling costs, delays and dysfunction from the SNP have held back new hospitals and threatened patient safety.' She highlighted that Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, scene of a lethal infection scandal, was in 'constant need of repairs', with £50 million spent since its rushed opening in 2015. She also noted that the Baird Family Hospital in Aberdeen is still not open and that treatment centres across Scotland are in limbo.
'The SNP always has a long list of excuses at the ready, but after 20 years of failure they just don't wash anymore. John Swinney needs to come clean about whether the SNP wants to scrap the new Monklands hospital - and if so Neil Gray can explain why to his constituents,' Baillie added.
Swinney's Assurance
At an election event in Glasgow on Monday, John Swinney gave a 'categorical assurance' that the UHM would be delivered but failed to provide a clear timetable. It would be built through the next parliament, he said, without giving an opening date. The First Minister stated: 'Let me just give the absolute, categorical assurance that the Monklands hospital is going to be built. I went the other day there to see the work that's already underway on the site, to develop the site for it to be constructed, and that will happen through the next parliamentary term under an SNP government.'
The Scottish Government froze new major NHS capital projects in early 2024, affecting Belford Hospital in Fort William, Edinburgh Eye Pavilion, and other smaller clinics. NHS Lanarkshire declined to comment but confirmed its opening target was 2031. A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'The Budget provides continued support for projects in construction - including a new Radionuclide facility, the Baird and Anchor Hospitals and Foxgrove - and development of the priority acute replacement projects in Monklands, Belford, Eye Pavilion and St Brendan's.'
