A hospital trust is to take services for cleaning, catering and portering back into the public sector, it has announced.

Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust will not be renewing the contract with the private company Medirest, which currently provides the services, when the present agreement ends.

The contractor has provided "hotel services" at the hospital for the last five years, but the deal is due for renewal in October this year.

The trust said that all Medirest staff currently working at Monklands General Hospital in Airdrie will transfer over to the NHS when the contract ends.

Quality and value

Gordon Walker, the trust's director of human resources, said the move followed a review of hotel services.

He said: "In the coming months, we will be working in partnership with staff to determine the best way forward for these services, whilst ensuring we adhere to the Scottish Executive's guidance on achieving quality and value."

James Dunbar, trust chairman, said it would be business as usual for the hospital after October.

"We are confident this is a positive step for Monklands Hospital, and will be working closely with Medirest to ensure that the best interests of patients and staff are at the forefront of all discussions relating to the transfer of services."