Four to six weeks before water-damaged theatres at Dr Gray's will reopen
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WORK to fix a large drainage leak at Dr Gray's Hospital is set to go on for a further four to six weeks.
A pipe was dislodged at the Elgin hospital on August 10, leading to the closure of operating theatres within the hospital as well as the birthing pool.
Dr Gray's general manager Alasdair Pattinson confirmed that works will be completed within four to six weeks.
Remedial works and additional air sampling are required before the two theatres affected by water damage can re-open.
Dr Gray’s Hospital General Manager, Alasdair Pattinson commented: “While this is not good news, it is giving us an opportunity to upgrade the theatres and the ventilation systems at the hospital.
"Colleagues in infection control and prevention and estates are working together on this programme of work.
“An operational group is also continuing to look at existing theatre capacity and what we can deliver both on site and elsewhere in the meantime.”
Moray's Conservative MP Douglas Ross said a further delay is "the last thing patients need" as operations pile up.
“These continued delays are extremely concerning for patients across Moray," Mr Ross said.
“While it is right that rigorous checks are carried out to ensure these theatres are safe for use, a potential further six-week delay before elective surgery restarts is the last thing patients and staff at Dr Gray’s need at this time.
“There is already an ever-growing backlog of operations at Dr Gray’s and patients need urgent reassurances over when their operations will finally take place.
“I know our hard-working staff who are already under severe strain will be working around the clock to get these issues fixed as quickly as possible and they must continue to be given all resources they need."
