Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has refused a request to meet with families affected by the ongoing downgrading of services at Dr Gray’s.
The proposal was for a virtual meeting with Moray residents and the Health Secretary.
The SNP Minister finally responded to Douglas Ross on Wednesday, after the local MP twice wrote to the Health Secretary last month raising concerns on behalf of constituents.
Mr Ross said that the Cabinet Secretary should hear first-hand from families that were forced to travel from Moray to Aberdeen to give birth.
It is almost three years since maternity services at the Elgin hospital were downgraded due to staffing issues.
However, in a response, Ms Freeman said that she was “unable” to meet, and instead talked about an independent review that won’t report back until after May’s election.
Scottish Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said:
"I am very disappointed that Jeane Freeman has refused to meet with families affected by the ongoing reduction in services at Dr Gray’s.
“It is also concerning that it took more than a month to even respond to my concerns.
“This is a big issue for a lot of people in Moray, but the Health Secretary appears to be in no hurry to deal with it.
“The announcement this week of a review simply kicks the issue into the long grass until after the election.
“The Scottish Conservatives have made a clear, unambiguous manifesto commitment to restore a full, consultant-led service at Dr Gray’s.
“I have yet to hear from the SNP as to whether they would match that pledge.
"I think the people of Moray deserve more than the promise of a review, when all they want is to see this service restored."