Conservatives in Moray have responded with dismay following the receipt of a letter from NHS Grampian which promises no improvement to the maternity service at Dr Gray’s Hospital.
Cllr Frank Brown (Elgin City North) said: “Over a year ago SNP Health Minister Jeane Freeman promised the people of Moray that she would sort out the disastrous downgrading of maternity services at Dr Gray’s. We would see a clear plan that would lead to the reinstatement of the service.
“It is quite clear from the letter the Council has received from NHS Grampian that she has broken her pledge and mums-to-be face another winter of travelling to Aberdeen to give birth.
“It is a shocking failure and just shows how ineffectual local Moray SNP politicians have been. I suspect this would not have been allowed to happen in Nicola Sturgeon’s backyard in Glasgow.”
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said he would be demanding answers from Jeane Freeman on the failure to make progress.
“The buck stops with Jeane Freeman and the Scottish Government. They have been in sole charge of the NHS for the last 12 years and we need a full explanation for this dismal situation.
“They should stop hiding behind the staff who work for NHS Grampian and take responsibility.
“It is surely not too much to ask for mums in Moray to be able to give birth here, near their homes, as so many have been able to do in previous generations.
“At what can an already be a stressful if joyful time, families don’t need the additional worry of mums having to travel all the way to Aberdeen, especially over winter when the roads can be treacherous.”
