Monklands A & E is to close. An announcement which came as no surprise once the sham that was called consultation was concluded. In a vote of 19 to 1 in favour, the motion to shut Monkland's A & E department was carried by NHS Lanarkshire. The only person to come out of this vote with any integrity was Cllr McCabe who voted against. This means that the A & E will shut within the next four years leaving only the option of Wishaw or Hairmyre A & E departments. MSP Cathie Craigie has vowed to appeal this decision but we should recall that her party is at least in part responsible for the situation. The European working directive limiting the hours that can be worked by doctors has been on the cards for a number of years and yet nothing was done to avert the inevitable staff shortages that would follow.