Initial plans to create a new satellite radiotherapy facility for the West of Scotland at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie have been given the green light.

The Outline Business Case for the new state-of-the-art facility has been formally approved by the Scottish Government which means plans can now be taken forward to the next stage. This will include the development of more detailed designs and financial costings for the new facility which aims to meet rising demand for cancer treatment over the next ten years.

These will form part of a Full Business Case which will be submitted in early 2014.  If approved, construction could then start in Spring 2014 and the new facility could be operational by the end of 2015.

Janette Fraser, Chair of the West of Scotland Satellite Radiotherapy Project Board, said:

 The approval of these initial plans is a major milestone and brings the creation of this important new facility one step closer.

“A great detail of work has already been carried out to agree the initial layout and operational arrangements. These plans will now be developed in more detail over next few months to enable final proposals for the facility to be submitted early next year.”

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Alex Neil said:

 Ensuring that every patient receives effective and timely treatment is at the heart of the NHS.

“This new £21.5m radiotherapy facility at Monklands Hospital means 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.”

The proposed new West of Scotland radiotherapy facility would operate as satellite for the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow. Equipped with the most advanced technology, it would deliver the same world-class treatment and techniques currently provided at the Glasgow cancer centre and is expected to treat around 120 patients a day from across the West of Scotland who require radiotherapy for lung, breast, prostate and rectal cancers.

A design brief, setting out some of the key layout and design requirements for the new facility, has already been developed.  This highlights existing good design practice and outlines the type of internal and external features required to create the best possible environment for patients and staff.