Plans to upgrade Elgin's Dr Gray's Hospital and introduce a new MRI facility have reached the next stage
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A PROJECT to deliver enhanced health services at Dr Gray's Hospital is now officially underway.
A project team has been brought together to support the construction of an MRI facility and the full refurbishment of the mental health ward at Dr Gray’s Hospital.
The team held their first meeting in January to progress the plans, with a working group of practitioners from Royal Cornhill Hospital and Moray’s mental health services planning to meet in February to discuss how to maintain a safe mental health service during the planned building works.
The planned refurbishment for the Hospital's mental health ward (Ward 4) will mirror work already done at Aberdeen's Royal Cornhill Hospital.
The hospital has been through a programme of ligature reduction and refurbishment works during the last few years which has led to the facility being recognised as an example of best practice across Scotland.
Initial site visits have also taken place at Dr Gray's Hospital to assess the planned site of the MRI scanner.
A report will be presented to Grampian NHS Board in the coming months and the aim is for it to be possible for work on the MRI construction to begin in May this year.
Simon Bokor-Ingram, who leads the Moray portfolio for NHS Grampian and is Chief Officer for Health and Social Care Moray, said: “These projects will be a huge asset to the community, and we are looking forward to working with a range of partners to deliver the very best facilities we can on the Dr Gray’s site."
"The MRI construction will be made possible through National Treatment Centre funding while the mental health ward work represents a capital investment by NHS Grampian. This joint project is just one example of ongoing investment and improvement works to ensure Moray health services are fit for the future.”
The MRI facility is a highly anticipated development; not only for radiology staff but also for patients waiting for treatment across Scotland.
Mr Bokor-Ingram added: “We are making every possible effort to progress these works at speed. It is also essential we take the time to ensure those accessing mental health services continue to receive safe and clinically appropriate services during the construction period.
"The work in progress to ensure we maintain safe mental health service provision is extensive and demands the input and expertise of ward staff, senior clinicians and primary care professionals, as well as being appropriately informed by those with lived experience of accessing services and services we work in partnership with.”
