The £5.5 million, 10-bed unit, is a major milestone in a plan which will seeing all seven operating theatres at the hospital undergo extensive refurbishment, which GRAHAM Construction aim to complete by early 2018.

To meet its schedule GRAHAM has created 25 new jobs in partnership with North Lanarkshire Working. These include apprenticeships in plumbing and joinery. In addition, the company sponsored a pre-apprenticeship course in New College Lanarkshire.

Gary Holmes, GRAHAM Construction’s regional director, said: “The Monkland’s Critical Care Unit is the latest phase of the refurbishment of the hospital delivered by GRAHAM Construction. It will provide advanced care to patients from the region who will benefit from specialist operating theatres and a bespoke recovery area. Throughout the project we ensured local people still had full access to the centre which has been a tremendous accomplishment on behalf of the community. Our aim is to leave a legacy of apprenticeships and skilled craftsmanship within the industry while fully supporting ‘Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce’ priorities. GRAHAM has an extensive portfolio of experience in developments for the health sector and looks forward to a continuing relationship with NHS Lanarkshire.”

Dr Jim Ruddy, consultant in intensive care medicine and anaesthesia, said: “For many years, the critical care unit and theatres have provided excellence in all aspects of care to our local community in Lanarkshire. Thanks to the hard work of our clinical staff, the Monklands site management team and GRAHAM Construction we now have a facility that is equipped to the highest standards and will take healthcare for the people of Lanarkshire to another level.”