A £19MILLION project to improve intensive care facilities has got underway at a Lanarkshire hospital.

Preparatory work to refurbish the operating theatres and expand the ICU facilities at Monklands Hospital has begun.

Under the plans, the hospital's seven existing theatres will undergo an extensive refurbishment programme alongside the construction of a new 10-bed intensive care and high dependency unit.

The £19m refurbishment and upgrade work will be complete by summer 2018.

NHS Lanarkshire said all services will operate as normal while the improvement works are being carried out.

Dr Jim Ruddy, consultant in intensive care medicine and anaesthesia, said: "This investment will provide a facility which is equipped to the highest standards, improve the provision of critical care and modernise healthcare delivery at Monklands Hospital.

"This development work will ensure that all facilities in the hospital are able to support the ever increasing levels of demand for specialist acute clinical care."

The new intensive care unit will be located on the ground floor between the main building and renal/infectious diseases unit.

George Reid, Monklands Hospital project manager, said: "Monklands Hospital is the subject of on-going investment through the NHS Lanarkshire Board to ensure that all facilities in the hospital are able to support the needs of patients and staff.

"The project team would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of the works and to reassure patients and staff that services are being kept operational throughout the project."