Ross seeks answers to local NHS issues
A meeting of senior NHS Grampian managers has given Moray MP Douglas Ross the opportunity to seek answers to questions that have been worrying local people. Among those present at the meeting held at Dr Gray’s Hospital were NHS Grampian Chairman, Professor Stephen Logan; Acting Chief Executive, Professor Amanda Croft and key staff from Dr Gray’s.
Douglas said: “There is no doubt that NHS Grampian is facing major challenges in Moray. These include increasing waiting times, recruiting key medical staff and the provision of maternity and paediatric services and the long-term care of elderly people. I know that all these matters are of very great concern to local people who depend on these services and wish to see them provided locally in Moray. All too often people seeking treatment are having to travel to Aberdeen or waiting far longer than they should.
“It is also evident that the Integrated Joint Board which covers Moray is facing considerable financial pressure and Moray Council, which is a key funder, is unable to step in due to cuts in its own budget made by the Scottish Government. Business as usual in not an option given the scale of these challenges and it is good to hear that NHS Grampian is seeking innovative solutions to address these problems. I was reassured to learn that real progress has been made with the eye clinic at Dr Gray’s with new facilities and procedures being put in place, although it did take too long to get to this stage. This is an issue I have repeatedly raised. There is still a lag in terms of waiting lists in this area but with increased resources that should be alleviated over time.”
However Douglas remains concerned at the prospects for maternity services in Elgin. “Unfortunately, it seems that workforce challenges remain acute and Dr Gray’s simply cannot recruit the people they would like. This inevitably means that there is a knock on effect on the service that can be provided. I quite understand that the safety of mums and babies must be the priority and that proper paediatric care must be in place which may mean that births have to take place elsewhere. But it is disappointing that we do not seem to be making progress because of problems of staffing. This is something we all must work on. Moray is a great place to live, work and raise your family. All of us have a responsibility to get that message across.”