Dr John Reid has added his voice to concerns about hospital plans

Dr Reid was among Labour MPs and MSPs who handed in a petition against plans which could downgrade Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire.

The petition containing 45,000 signatures was handed into the Hamilton headquarters of NHS Lanarkshire.

Health chiefs plan to reduce accident and emergency cover in the area from three to two units.

Labour MPs Tom Clarke and Rosemary McKenna and MSPs Karen Whitefield, Elaine Smith and Cathie Craigie were also present to hand in the petition.

Ms Whitefield, MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, defended Dr Reid's involvement.

She said: "The campaign to save Monklands accident and emergency cover is supported by all of our constituents.

"Are we seriously saying John Reid, as the MP for Airdrie and Shotts, is to be the only man in the area not supporting his local hospital?"

'Excellent service'

Last Saturday, Dr Reid joined local MSPs and MPs in a "Hands Around Monklands" human chain protest near the hospital.

Accident and emergency cover in the area is currently provided by three hospitals.

NHS Lanarkshire want to concentrate emergency cover at two hospitals - Wishaw and either Monklands or Hairmyres, in East Kilbride

They argue the area can support two specialist intensive care units but not three smaller ones.

Monklands is in Defence Secretary Dr Reid's constituency.

Hairmyres is in Scottish Health Minister Andy Kerr's East Kilbride constituency.

Wishaw is in First Minister Jack McConnell's constituency of Motherwell and Wishaw.

Ms Whitefield added: "I don't think the people of Monklands have ever felt so strongly about an issue.

"I had no difficulty getting people to sign the petition, and people were taking it round the streets and local churches.

"People are very attached to their local hospital.