Moray mums will be able to give birth in Inverness instead of Aberdeen

Moray women will now be allowed to give birth in Inverness rather than travelling further to Aberdeen.

NHS Grampian and NHS Highland made the announcement today.

Women who develop a complication during labour will be transferred from Dr Gray’s in Elgin to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness – the closest obstetric unit.

A midwife from Dr Gray’s will accompany them during the journey.

This arrangement will remain in place until 2026 when a full consultant-led maternity services is scheduled to be returned to Elgin.

Simon Bokor-Ingram, whose job title is NHS Grampian’s Moray portfolio lead, said: "This arrangement with NHS Highland is a milestone moment in the evolution of local maternity services.

"We still have much to do and skilled staff to recruit, but communities across Moray should be in no doubt about our commitment to deliver a sustainable consultant-led birth service for them."

Moray's MP – who had his own experience of having to see his wife give birth to his second son in Aberdeen in 2021 – says the move is a "step in the right direction".

However, Douglas Ross also stated that many mums will still be concerned at having to travel to Inverness, especially in the winter months.

Mr Ross said: "The reality for expectant mothers in Moray is that they face a concerning 40-mile journey for the next few years, rather than being able to give birth in their own community.

"On the current time-scale the supposed temporary downgrade of maternity services at Dr Gray’s will have lasted eight years, which is absolutely shocking.

"What this move cannot do is distract any attention away from restoring consultant-led services at Dr Gray’s as quickly as possible.

"I will continue to press SNP ministers and NHS Grampian to restore consultant-led maternity services in Moray as a matter of urgency."

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