SNP minister to visit Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin to meet with Keep MUM campaigners and Douglas Ross
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE Minister for Public Health and Women's Health has agreed to visit Dr Gray's Hospital.
Jenni Minto, who is originally from Elgin, will meet with Keep MUM campaigners and Moray MP Douglas Ross to discuss maternity services at the hospital.
Mr Ross had written to health secretary Michael Matheson in March asking for the newly appointed minister to visit Moray to discuss the situation.
However, maternity services falls under Ms Minto's ministerial remit and she has now agreed to visit the hospital in the coming months.
In her response to Mr Ross, Ms Minto said: "As you know the plan for Integrated Maternity Services for the North of Scotland, with consultant-led obstetric services at Dr Gray's was approved by the previous Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in March.
"I believe it is right that we now give both NHS Grampian and NHS Highland time to start implementation of this ambitious plan.
"I am aware a revised Business Case was discussed at NHS Highland's Board meeting on May 30 and I expect this to be submitted to me soon.
"In addition to this I know representatives from Keep MUM and the Moray and Banff Maternity Voices Partnership met with the lead of the External Assurance Panel earlier this month to discuss their specific concerns."
The maternity unit at Dr Gray's was downgraded five years ago due to staffing concerns from NHS Grampian.
Subsequently, Moray women have had to travel to Aberdeen to give birth with some having to do so at the side of the road.
Mr Ross says he hopes a meeting with Ms Minto can take place as soon as possible to address concerns over the downgrade.
Mr Ross said: “Keep MUM are continuing to fight tirelessly to fully restore maternity services at Dr Gray’s Hospital. When the minister ultimately comes to Elgin she’ll hear in no uncertain terms from those campaigners and myself about the devastating impact the lack of maternity services has had on women and families here in Moray.
“The so-called temporary downgrade has now lasted for nearly five years. Under the current plans, maternity services may not be fully restored until 2026.
“The onus is on the new minister to put this issue to the top of her in-tray. Her full focus must be on ensuring that there is no further slippage on the timetable for restoring services and our cash-strapped NHS Grampian has every resource they need to make this reality."
