Moray MP Douglas Ross has given a ‘cautious welcome’ to plans announced by NHS Grampian that will allow mums in his constituency to travel to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to give birth rather than having to travel to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Douglas – who had his own experience of having to see his wife give birth to his second son in Aberdeen in 2021 – says the move is a “step in the right direction.”
However, the Moray MP says local campaigners fighting for the restoration of consultant-led maternity services at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin will want reassurances from the health board that this will not “distract” away from ensuring that maternity services in Moray will be restored as “quickly as possible”.
Douglas also says that many mums will still be concerned at having to travel down to Inverness on roads that 'are not fit for purpose' especially in the winter months.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “Allowing more Moray mums to give birth Inverness rather than Aberdeen is a step in the right direction.
“I know from my own experience how worrying that journey is for Moray mums across to Aberdeen so I am glad NHS Grampian have taken this step.
“However, the reality for expectant mothers in Moray is that they still face a concerning 40-mile journey for the next few years, rather than being able to give birth in their own community. On current timescales the supposed temporary downgrade of maternity services at Dr Gray’s will last eight years, which is absolutely shocking.
“What this move cannot do is distract any attention away from restoring consultant-led services at Dr Gray’s as quickly as possible from NHS Grampian and SNP Ministers. Jenni Minto heard directly from campaigners about how horrendous this experience is for them and those concerns cannot be ignored.
“While I am sure some mums in Moray will welcome this alternative, many will still be worried about the prospect of travelling to Inverness, especially during the winter months.
“I will continue to press SNP ministers and NHS Grampian to restore consultant-led maternity services in Moray as a matter of urgency.”