The SNP manifesto for the last Holyrood election looks like a breach of the trade descriptions act.

Ahead of securing a historic fourth term for her party, Nicola Sturgeon boldly made this promise on the health service: “Invest £10bn over the next decade to renew our NHS estate and reshape and replace buildings – including delivering a new Monklands hospital.”

Humza Yousaf’s Government’s latest reverse gear shift has turned this commitment into a pile of rubble.

At least a dozen flagship NHS construction projects, including a replacement for Monklands hospital, will be paused due to a supposed lack of funding.

A new facility was earmarked for 2031, but the actual opening date is now anyone’s guess.

Patients in Airdrie and beyond will have to endure going for treatment in a decrepit and unsafe building for some time to come.

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