Laing O’Rourke named construction partner for Scottish hospital project

Laing O’Rourke has been named preferred construction partner on the project to replace University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire.

NHS Lanarkshire’s is aiming is to deliver Scotland’s first fully digital and net zero carbon hospital through the Monklands Replacement Project (MRP). 

The new hospital is a hugely significant capital project with massive benefits for healthcare, the economy and local community across Lanarkshire and Scotland.

The outline business case for the new hospital was approved by the Scottish Government on July 3 and a full planning application for Monklands Replacement Programme has been submitted to North Lanarkshire Council. 

With Laing O’Rourke’s input, the full business case will now be developed and finalised during 2024. 

The new facility, which will be located on a site at Wester Moffat, east of Airdrie, is planned to open in 2031.

Colin Lauder, NHS Lanarkshire director of planning, property and performance, said: “We are excited to take another significant step forward for the project by appointing Laing O’Rourke. It moves us closer to delivering what will be the most advanced hospital in Scotland.

“We have chosen a construction partner with a wealth of experience in the healthcare sector.”

Appointing Laing O’Rourke to the project team under a pre-construction services agreement (PCSA) is an important milestone that will progress the project from concept stage through delivery to opening.

Rory Pollock, healthcare sector leader from Laing O’Rourke, said: “We are delighted and proud that NHS Lanarkshire has appointed us to the Monklands Replacement Project team. 

“We are excited to help bring NHS Lanarkshire’s vision to life, and to delivering a modern, sustainable hospital that will serve the local community for many decades to come.

“Early engagement like this, including input to the final design, will enable us to fully harness the value our manufacturing-led operating model brings, providing greater programme, quality and cost certainty to the benefit of NHS Lanarkshire. 

“We will also draw on our experience from other projects to deliver lasting social value. Our project team will work with local schools, colleges and businesses to create education, training and employment opportunities.”

Laing O’Rourke will now support the health board in progressing from outline plans to a full business case. 

The constructor’s specialist healthcare delivery team will join the wider MRP team and work closely with patient groups and clinical teams to finalise the design, construction methodology, cost and programme.

Laing O’Rourke has built 18 major hospitals since 2010, and most recently has delivered the Louisa Martindale Building in Brighton, the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital, the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, also in Liverpool, and the Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, Wales. 

It also constructed Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary.

Outside of healthcare, the company recently completed the St James Quarter in Edinburgh. 

Some of the apprentices who began their careers on that project will continue their training and development in Scotland as members of the Monklands team.