Moray MP expresses concern about prolonged closure of Aberdeen midwives unit
Moray MP Douglas Ross has expressed his concern after it emerged today that the midwives unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, which was temporarily re-housed in the labour ward, is to remain shut until at least the end of September, due to staff shortages and to allow NHS Grampian time to recruit new graduates.
Commenting, Douglas said: “With some Moray mums now having to go to Aberdeen to give birth, following the downgrading of the maternity unit at Dr Gray’s, this is deeply concerning news.
“If the hospital at Aberdeen is already struggling with staff shortages how are they going to cope with the extra patients being sent through from Moray? Not just that, but these patients are being sent because they are not seen as straightforward cases and the mums to be and their families need to be reassured about the measures in place, but these revelations don’t help the matter.”
“I’m very concerned as on a regular basis we are hearing fresh concerns about capacity and staffing within NHS Grampian. Things appear to be going from bad to worse and I am extremely concerned about this. NHs staff can only work so many hours and do a fantastic job in very difficult circumstances. Something has to be done to offer them proper support and to resolve these recruitment problems. The Scottish Government need to treat this as a priority rather than trying to shift they blame elsewhere.”