Work is underway to design proposals on replacing the existing Monklands Hospital in Airdrie.
NHS Lanarkshire is now seeking funding to carry out the project.
A number of options are available, including redeveloping the hospital on the existing Monklands site, or a complete replacement facility at an alternative location.
Work at the current site could include a new ward block, new day surgery unit and an expanded outpatient department.
Calum Campbell, Chief Executive at NHS Lanarkshire, said: "To ensure we best meet future population needs in Lanarkshire there is no doubt that we will continue to require a high-quality acute hospital with 450-500 beds.
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"Developing an initial agreement is a key step forward that will allow us to consider this in detail and make sure we get the right future acute hospital provision for the people of Lanarkshire."
Colin Lauder, Head of Planning and Development, added: "We have continued to invest in Monklands Hospital to ensure that it can meet the ever increasing levels of demand for specialist acute clinical care and provide the highest standards of treatment and care possible.
"This investment has been in addition to more than £35m investment over the last six years, which has been necessary to safely maintain Monklands Hospital which was designed in the late 1960’s and opened in 1974.
"Despite this on-going investment, there are parts of Monklands Hospital that we will never be able to bring up to the standards required to deliver high-quality 21st Century healthcare and this will be an important consideration as we develop the initial agreement.
"The new facility will complement the development of better care away from hospitals at home and in the community."
The initial agreement will take around six months to develop. Following this, an outline business case will be developed and then a full business case, both of which would require Scottish Government approval. This will take two to three years to complete before building work can start.
[Pictured: Monklands Hospital, Airdrie]
(LM)
