Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has hit out over the lack of progress in restoring local maternity services in Moray.
Speaking as severe winter weather made roads across the county treacherous, the Scottish Conservative MSP said it was unacceptable that so many mums-to-be from Moray still had to travel to Aberdeen because facilities weren’t available closer to home at Dr Gray’s in Elgin.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: “As the winter weather hits Moray hard, the failure of the Scottish Government to restore a consultant-led maternity service at Dr Gray’s is left exposed for all to see.
“Despite all the promises from Scottish ministers, it is now three years since the service was lost and there seems to be little confidence of if and when it might be restored.
“We owe a huge debt of thanks to the midwives, the ambulance service and all the other NHS staff involved in keeping local mums and babies safe. They are doing a fantastic job during a uniquely challenging time.
“But surely it cannot be right that people in the final stage of pregnancy are expected to travel along a road like the A96 during severe winter weather.
“It is putting extra demands our the ambulance service, as well as huge additional pressure on anxious family members forced to undertake the drive themselves.
“Moray’s maternity services must be restored and a clear commitment and timescale on that happening laid out”.
Councillor Tim Eagle, leader of the Conservative Group on Moray Council, added:
“I have spoken to a number of local NHS staff very concerned that mums in labour are still having to travel to Aberdeen during the depths of winter, and during a pandemic.
“Frankly, despite all the fine words and promises from Jeane Freeman and Richard Lochhead that they share our concern and would act to restore the service, we seem to be no further on than we were three years ago.”
