Families give Moray maternity staff top marks
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Families have given Moray's maternity service the thumbs up as a plan to ensure its long-term sustainability nears completion.
A Scotland-wide Maternity Care Survey found that 96 per cent of mums-to-be in Moray rated their antenatal care as either good or very good.
In addition, 94 per cent said their care during labour and birth was positive.
Respondents said they were given good levels of information during their antenatal and postnatal care – 98% and 100% respectively – and every woman who responded praised the service for treating them with “kindness and understanding” during their antenatal care and postnatal at home care.
Pam Gowans, NHS Grampian executive lead for Dr Gray’s Hospital, said: "We are delighted to see these results and I know it will be a welcome boost for all the hard-working staff we have across the service.
"I’d like to congratulate them for their work over what has been a challenging period and for delivering consistently first class care to Women and Children in Moray."
The feedback highlighted one area where more work could be done surrounding information supplied on financial support during the antenatal period.
“Overall however the report is welcome good news and I’m grateful to the patients who took the time to give their feedback," Ms Gowans said.
A long term plan to create a sustainable Women and Children’s Service at Dr Gray's is expected to be submitted to the Scottish Government this month.
It is being drawn up after the service was downgraded last July amid a staffing crisis.
Services have gradually been reintroduced and NHS Grampian has said it hopes to have most services back up-and-running by December.
NHS staff, public representatives, campaign group Keep Mum and the Scottish Ambulance Service have been working together to develop the plan.
Ms Gowans added: "We carried out an initial analysis of potential options last week with around 20 representatives from all of the different groups involved taking part.
"That was highly productive and the NHS Grampian senior leadership team and board are now being asked for their input prior to the plans submission to the Scottish Government."
The plan is expected to be published after the Scottish Government has had its say.
