Moray MP Douglas Ross has requested another meeting “as soon as possible” with SNP health secretary Humza Yousaf over the future of Dr Gray’s.
Douglas’ request comes after further recent reports highlighted ongoing issues facing expectant mothers in Moray, due to the ‘temporary’ downgrade of maternity services at Dr Gray’s in 2018.
Expectant mothers who wish to give birth with the support of consultant-led services in Moray have now been unable to since 2018.
The Press and Journal revealed a story this week of a woman in Lossiemouth who is thinking twice about starting a family in the area as a result of potentially having to travel to Inverness or Aberdeen to give birth, as Douglas’ wife Krystle did in June 2021.
Campaign group KeepMUM also reported a story of an expectant mother who went against medical advice and gave birth at Dr Gray’s, because of the chance of being hit by a snowstorm travelling to Aberdeen.
Douglas says these “shocking” reports highlight once again to Humza Yousaf and the Scottish Government, the urgent need to restore consultant-led maternity services in Moray.
He says that the move from the health secretary before Christmas, in response to his calls for a statement, to abandon model 4 were welcome but he cannot let timescales slip “under any circumstances.”
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “I am seeking a further meeting with Humza Yousaf as soon as possible to discuss once again the restoration of consultant-led services at Dr Gray’s.
“His statement before Christmas offered some positive steps forward but there can be no room for complacency. These timescales to deliver crucial funding to NHS Grampian cannot slip under any circumstances.
“Recent reports in the local press have once again highlighted the shocking effects being felt by expectant mothers in Moray due to the lack of maternity services at Dr Gray’s. Local people are openly talking about putting off starting a family in our area as a result.
“That is extremely worrying when we want to attract people to come and make our communities in Moray their home for generations to come.
“Under the current plans sanctioned by Humza Yousaf, we could still be looking at maternity services not returning until at least 2027. That would be close to a decade without services at Dr Gray’s after local mums were told it would be temporary for 12 months.
“I hope the health secretary has read these recent reports to understand the devastating impact that not having full maternity services in their own community is continuing to have on local people.
“There are many areas to discuss to see what progress is being made to restore the maternity services in Elgin and I hope the Health Secretary will respond positively to this request for a further meeting and update.”