Newly-appointed health secretary Michael Matheson is invited to Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin
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THE newly-appointed health secretary has been invited to Dr Gray's.
Michael Matheson was appointed health secretary in Humza Yousaf's new cabinet this week, and Moray's SNP MSP Richard Lochhead has wasted no time in inviting him north to Elgin.
The Scottish Government recently promised £6.6 million of funding to help restore a consultant-led maternity service to Dr Gray's.
A majority of women from Moray have been travelling to Inverness and Aberdeen to give birth since the hospital was downgraded in 2018.
Richard Lochhead MSP has invited Mr Matheson to meet with community representatives for talks on maternity services "as soon as possible".
He said: “Following the appointment of the new cabinet this week, I have written to Michael Matheson inviting him to visit Dr Gray’s with me at the earliest opportunity.
“The restoration of maternity services and developing ambitious plans for the future of Dr Gray’s are both top priorities for people here in Moray.
"The Scottish Government has made a clear commitment to that with the recent announcement of £6.6m of funding for NHS Grampian’s plan to reinstate a consultant led maternity service in Elgin.
“As local MSP I have been involved in the Keep MUM campaign since day one and so I am very keen for the new health secretary to visit Dr Gray’s and to meet with myself, staff and local campaigners as soon as possible.”
Moray's Conservative MP Douglas Ross added : “I wish the new cabinet secretary well in his new post, but there is no time to waste for Michael Matheson when it comes to restoring consultant-led maternity services at Dr Gray’s.
“This supposed temporary downgrade has now gone on for almost than five years and more and more Moray mums are having to take often treacherous journeys to give birth in Inverness or Aberdeen.
“I know how frightening that is and that is why restoring maternity services at Dr Gray’s must be a top priority for the man who has replaced the now First Minister Humza Yousaf as health secretary.
“It is imperative that Michael Matheson visits Moray to not only hear from myself but also tireless local campaigners like Keep MUM to listen to their concerns directly and to give them reassurances that he is treating this issue as a matter of urgency."
