Moray MP Douglas Ross has slammed a complete lack of progress when it comes to restoring fully-led consultant services at Dr Gray’s.
Douglas’ call comes after he joined a meeting with officials of NHS Grampian today (Friday) where they told him and fellow attendees that they are still awaiting instructions and information from the SNP Government on how to move towards model 6.
Douglas says that is “totally unacceptable” given that SNP health secretary Humza Yousaf confirmed to parliament over two months ago that the plans for a ‘holding’ plan to move to model 4 and have services delivered across the region had finally been scrapped, and there was now going to be a full focus on delivering model 6.
However, Douglas says that expectant mums in Moray and tireless campaigners such as KeepMum have been let down once again by this “vacuum of information” and that updates on plans and funding for model 6 must come as a matter of urgency.
Douglas added that it would be a “dereliction of duty” if Humza Yousaf was distracted by his bid to become SNP leader and first minister instead of ensuring that consultant-led services finally return to Dr Gray’s at the earliest opportunity.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “It is over two months ago since I secured a debate on the future of maternity services at Dr Gray’s in the Scottish Parliament, which resulted in welcome progress being announced by Humza Yousaf.
“The decision to finally scrap model four and fully focus on model six to deliver full consultant-led maternity services in Moray again was well received across the area, but since then there has been a complete vacuum of information.
“That was reaffirmed at the latest meeting between local politicians and NHS Grampian. It is totally unacceptable that months on the health board are still having to wait for instructions and information on how to move towards delivering model 6 from the SNP Government.
“Expectant mothers in Moray and tireless campaigners like KeepMum are once again being let down by this total wall of silence. There is shamefully still a total lack of urgency from both the health secretary and the health board when it comes to updating Moray mothers on any progress, if any has indeed been made.
“We desperately need action and answers and these must be delivered as soon as possible. It would be a complete dereliction of duty from Humza Yousaf if he became too distracted by his bid to replace Nicola Sturgeon instead of outlining how consultant-led services will finally return to Dr Gray’s.
“I will continue to push for answers at every turn as right now expectant mothers and campaigners are completely in the dark over what if any progress has been made since the announcement made during my debate before Christmas.
“People in Moray have long felt officials and the board of NHS Grampian do not listen to them and sadly this latest meeting I attended confirmed this to me. It’s unacceptable that we have been treated this way by the current and previous management of the health board and they must finally start delivering for the area, because for too long it feels Moray has been an afterthought for them.”
