Douglas Ross MP meets Independent Review group on Moray's maternity services
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MORAY'S MP shared local families' birth experiences – including his own – with the group conducting the Independent Review into local maternity services during their two-day visit this week.
Conservative MP Douglas Ross met the review chair, Ralph Roberts, and other team members as they visited Elgin to hear evidence on July 7 and 8.
The maternity unit at Dr Gray’s was downgraded in July 2018 due to staff shortages.
The review was commissioned by the Scottish Government in March.
The meeting comes a week after Mr Ross became a father for the second time with his wife, Krystle, transferred to Aberdeen while in labour, where their son, James, was born in the maternity unit. Their first son, Alistair, was born at Dr Gray’s in 2019.
Mr Ross said afterwards: "I welcome the fact that the Independent Review team came to Moray to hear directly from local staff and residents who have been impacted by the downgrading of the consultant-led maternity unit three years ago.
"During my time with the review team I was able to share many of the cases that have been raised with me by local constituents as well as our own family situation. Both our boys have been born since the unit at Dr Gray’s was downgraded but one son was born in Elgin and another in Aberdeen.
"I was also keen to highlight the real anger and frustration that we are still without this vital service – three years after we were told the unit would be downgraded for up to a year.
"It’s simply unacceptable that we are no closer to the service being restored three years after commitments were made that we would only be in this situation for up to 12 months.
"The staff in Elgin have continued to provide an outstanding service during this difficult time for them, as well as local families. Their professionalism and dedication is second to none and I hope the review group confirms the need for our maternity services to be restored to full strength so more Moray families can benefit from the outstanding staff we are lucky to have at Dr Gray’s."
