NHS Lanarkshire is currently consulting on proposals for a new or replacement hospital, with an alternative site in Gartcosh being promoted by the health board as its top option.

But opponents want the hospital to be rebuilt on the existing site, and claim local people have been ignored in the decision making process.

Health secretary Jeane Freeman has now confirmed the terms of the review, with independent assessors set to report back to ministers by the end of February 2019.

The review will assess the quality of the options appraisal for replacing the hospital and the wider consultation undertaken by the board.

Ms Freeman said an independent review was the best way to determine whether the appropriate consultations were made.

She said: “There were concerns raised about the process being taken by the board and whether it had been consistent with best practice and meaningfully taken on board the views of all the relevant stakeholders.

“An independent review is the best way to assess the robustness of the process so that everyone can have full confidence in it.”

The Scottish Government, which will have the final say on the proposals, has not expressed any opinion on where the new hospital should be located.

The review was prompted by a request from local MSP Alex Neil and MP Neil Gray.