Moray MP Douglas Ross says SNP Health Secretary Humza Yousaf cannot continue to leave expectant mothers in Moray “completely in the dark” over how consultant-led maternity services will be restored at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin.
Douglas made an intervention last night (Tuesday) in the Scottish Parliament as he called once again for a statement updating those affected to be given to Parliament immediately by Humza Yousaf.
The SNP-Green Government already rejected plans by the Scottish Conservatives to set aside Parliamentary time this week for the statement. That is despite the Health Secretary saying in June, when plans were announced to move to Model 4, that he would update Parliament as soon as possible.
However, Douglas used his Point of Order in Holyrood last night to say that it is now fast approaching the Parliament’s October recess and still no statement is forthcoming.
On the same day Keep MUM campaigners described discussions over plans to allow Moray women to give birth at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness at a NHS Highland meeting as “tone-deaf.”
Douglas says that the people of Moray who were told that the downgrade of maternity services would be temporary four years ago need and deserve answers from the SNP Health Secretary and he will continue to push for answers until he agrees to deliver a statement.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “Humza Yousaf promised the people of Moray in July that an update on the plans to restore maternity services at Dr Gray’s would be delivered as soon as possible after Parliament returned.
“We are fast approaching the Parliament’s October recess and still no statement has been given or is scheduled. Expectant mothers across Moray and frontline staff who will be affected by the move to model 4 continue to be left completely in the dark.
“That is simply unacceptable. The Health Secretary and NHS Grampian avoided Parliamentary scrutiny by announcing the move to model 4 on July 1 and almost three months on, there still hasn’t been the chance to ask questions of Ministers on this.
“The tireless Keep MUM campaigners have made their feelings clear on how NHS Highland are handling the situation and I share their deep concerns.
“The SNP typically don’t want to be challenged on this issue. They said it was only going to be a temporary downgrade of maternity services but that was four years ago and there are still very real fears that we will never see a full restoration of services at Dr Gray’s.
“I also agree with Keep MUM that there are few benefits to Model 4 and we should be working flat out to implement Model 6 which is the full restoration of consultant-led maternity services. All the time, effort and resources must now be focussed on that.
“It is time for the SNP to finally agree time should be set aside in the Scottish Parliament for an update regarding Dr Gray’s maternity services so expectant mothers can get answers and Humza Yousaf and the health board can be held to account.”
