Moray MP Douglas Ross has welcomed confirmation that the new SNP minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto has agreed to come to his constituency to meet with him and Keep MUM campaigners.
Douglas had written to SNP health secretary Michael Matheson upon his appointment as health secretary in March asking him to come to Moray to discuss the ongoing lack of maternity services at Dr Gray’s Hospital.
He has now received a response from Jenni Minto, since the issue falls under her ministerial remit.
She has told Douglas she would be happy to meet with him and campaigners and visit Dr Gray’s in the coming months.
Douglas – who has experienced first-hand the impact of the lack of maternity services in Moray – says he hopes this meeting can happen as soon as possible.
He says that when it ultimately takes place, the minister will hear in “no uncertain terms” about the “devastating” impact the now near five year ‘temporary’ downgrade of maternity services at Dr Gray’s has had on women and families across Moray.
Douglas added that the “full focus” of Jenni Minto – who was born in Elgin – must be on delivering the full restoration of maternity services in Moray and ensuring NHS Grampian have every resource to do so.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “It is welcome that the latest SNP minister with a remit for dealing with the restoration of maternity services in Moray has agreed to meet with myself and campaigners.
“Keep MUM are continuing to fight tirelessly to fully restore maternity services at Dr Gray’s Hospital. When the minister ultimately comes to Elgin she’ll hear in no uncertain terms from those campaigners and myself about the devastating impact the lack of maternity services has had on women and families here in Moray.
“The so-called temporary downgrade has now lasted for nearly five years. Under the current plans, maternity services may not be fully restored until 2026.
“The onus is on the new minister to put this issue to the top of her in-tray. Her full focus must be on ensuring that there is no further slippage on the timetable for restoring services and our cash-strapped NHS Grampian has every resource they need to make this reality.
“Having experienced first-hand the impact of a lack of maternity services in Moray, I will continue to fight alongside campaigners at every opportunity to hold SNP ministers to account.
“I look forward to welcoming Jenni Minto to Moray and hope that this meeting can happen as soon as possible.”
