Moray MP Douglas Ross has commented following a meeting between Scottish Government Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, local campaigners, and elected representative to discuss maternity services in Moray.
After the publication of the independent review into maternity services in Moray, following the downgrading of the consultant-led maternity unit at Dr Gray’s three years ago, Mr Yousaf was due to visit the area today (Monday, December 20) to discuss the report. Due to the rapid spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant, he cancelled the visit and held online discussions instead.
Speaking after the virtual meeting, Douglas said: “I welcomed the chance to raise the many issues that continue to affect pregnant women and their families in Moray and the fact that without action by the Scottish Government and NHS Grampian we face the prospect of the current model of maternity services in Elgin continuing for years to come. This is the model that the report quickly ruled out as being inappropriate and carries potential risk to patient safety.
“It is simply not acceptable that women in labour will continue to face the journey along the A96 to give birth in either Aberdeen or Inverness for at least another two years and I was very disappointed that NHS Grampian in particular ignored many of the questions raised in the meeting about why we have been in this situation for so long in Moray and why previous concerns about the safety of the current model have not been acted on.
“The Cabinet Secretary confirmed the Scottish Government will provide their response to the report in the New Year and it’s vital we ensure that decisions are taken quickly with clear timeframes and milestones set. We all remember being told the temporary downgrade of the maternity unit would be for twelve months, but three-and-a-half years later we are no further on.
“NHS Grampian and the Scottish Government need to pull out all the stops to deliver a service that sees more Moray women giving birth locally in the care of our expert and dedicated team of midwives and staff at Dr Gray’s.”
