County NHS all set for a move

Jun 2 2011 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

NHS Lanarkshire headquarters’ move to the Kirklands Hospital site in Bothwell is almost complete.

Staff in corporate departments at the existing HQ in Hamilton’s Beckford Street last week moved into the new premises off Fallside Road.

NHS Lanarkshire has said the relocation - which also involves ‘corporate staff’ from Strathclyde Hospital in Motherwell and Cleland Hospital - will “rationalise” its estate and provide “savings opportunities”.

However, housing plans for the site, which were expected to net the authority millions of pounds, have been scaled down.

Instead of building 200 homes on the site, outlined in a plan approved in 2006, the authority now intends to dispose of land at Kirklands for an estimated 40 to 50 houses.

The conversion of former hospital buildings and office accomodation at Kirklands has been beset with complaints from nearby residents.

Trees subject to a Tree Preservation Order had been cut down in 2007 for “safety reasons” when extending a car park without planning permission.

And in March this year Rowans Gardens residents pointed out a further 30 trees had been removed to make way for parking... contrary to planning permission.

NHS Lanarkshire director of Strategic Implementation, Performance and Planning Ian Ross said this week: “Our corporate departments were previously divided across a number of sites such as Beckford Street, Strathclyde, Cleland and in the acute hospitals.

“This resulted in a considerable amount of travel across the sites to attend meetings, work groups and for communications with colleagues.

“In addition the duplication and use of equipment across the sites was inefficient.

“The centralisation of headquarters functions will enable the rationalisation of the estate in accordance with NHS Lanarkshire’s property strategy.

“We expect to achieve significant revenue savings of more than £2million within the first five years of the centralisation through improved working practices and redesign of service provision.

“We also expect significant capital receipts from the sale of vacant sites at Strathclyde and Cleland.”

An NHS Lanarkshire spokesman also explained this week that the authority intends to dispose of four acres of land at the hospital site for housing.

He added: “This land is included in the South Lanarkshire Council Local Plan for a residential development for an estimated 40 to 50 houses.

“The Beckford Street site will continue to be utilised by NHS Lanarkshire with staff moving from other localities, further reducing our property portfolio. There are now no plans to sell this site.”

The demolition of buildings at the Strathclyde Hospital site, which was used for corporate functions, is expected to begin next month. However, the Dalziel Centre Day Hospice and Lymphoedema Service there, and the older people’s complex needs inpatient service at Cleland Hospital, will remain.

NHS Lanarkshire departments which are to move to Beckford Street include dieticians, occupational health and safety, smoking cessation, Lanarkshire Health Council, Health Promotion and Care Home Liaison.