Elective caesarean sections to move from Elgin to Aberdeen

NHS Grampian has confirmed elective caesarean sections will move from Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin to Aberdeen Maternity Hospital.

The NHS have said staff shortages are to blame for the switch, and say they have been in contact with the small number of women who have been affected to discuss alternate arrangements.

This is similar to the period between July and November last year when elective caesarean sections, sometimes called prearranged or booked, were halted at Dr Gray’s due to a shortage of specialist staff.

Dr Jamie Hogg, Clinical Director at Dr Gray’s Hospital, said: "This is disappointing and we’re sorry we’ve had to take this step which will hopefully be for a temporary period.

"Our priority is to provide the safest, best quality care for Moray mothers possible. The maternity unit at Dr Gray’s will remain available for low risk, non-caesarean births and, aside from elective caesarean sections, other patient services should not be affected."

In reply to that statement, Keep MUM, a group which is fighting to protect the maternity unit at Dr Gray's, said: "It's not enough for NHS Grampian to issue a statement saying there are staff shortages and therefore there will be no elective sections in Elgin. Such behaviour from NHS Grampian shows no accountability to the women of Moray."

Moray's MSP Richard Lochhead expressed concern about the change. He said: "This latest development is disappointing news and will cause concern locally given the timing and the fact that the focus is on building maternity services back up again, so hopefully this step back is just a temporary.

"I’ve spoken to the Health Secretary and NHS management and emphasised it’s essential NHS Grampian are working hard to ensure any impact on the medium and long term plans to reinstate a full consultant led service is minimised and The latest staffing issues are urgently sorted out.

"The women and families directly affected will be particularly concerned and must be given all the support they require at such an important stage of their care."

Douglas Ross, MP for Moray, backed up those comments and added "no-one should have to endure a round trip of three hours or more to give birth".

Expectant mums who are concerned at all about this change are urged to contact their midwife.

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