Moray MP Douglas Ross has been told by Cabinet Secretary for Health, Jeane Freeman MSP, that she has now approved plans submitted by NHS Grampian that will see the return to a full consultant-led maternity unit and a 24 hour, seven days a week paediatric service.
Commenting after receiving an update from the Scottish Government Minister,Douglas said:
“This update brings us closer to ending the uncertainty and worry for pregnant women in Moray about whether they might have to travel to Aberdeen to give birth but it also confirms it will still be another year before we see a full maternity service return in spring 2020. This is something I warned about only a few weeks ago but NHS Grampian still insisted the end of 2019 was the date they were working to.
“I’m delighted that a round-the-clock children’s ward will also re-start, allowing children who need short-term admission to be treated in Dr Gray’s rather than having to go to Aberdeen. This will be a great relief for parents in Moray because I know that many have had to face the long journey to Aberdeen during the night when the paediatric unit in Elgin was cut to daytime admissions only.
“We have waited a long time for a return to full, sustainable services for maternity and paediatrics in Elgin, and although there is still a lot of staff training to do at least we now know that NHS Grampian is committed to ensuring that Moray has the hospital provision that local people need.
“Having experienced the care provided at Dr Gray’s when our own son was born there in March, I know how much local people will appreciate and value the full return of maternity services when it happens.”