Moray Conservative Group Leader Cllr Tim Eagle, the Conservative nominee for the Holyrood elections next year, has written to senior health officials asking them to confirm Moray is prepared for a possible outbreak of coronavirus.
Councillor Eagle said “As a member of the Moray Integration Joint Board, and with a keen interest in the ongoing issues at Dr Gray's Hospital, I think it is vital that we know plans are in place to deal with any eventuality from coronavirus. Whilst there has been no confirmed cases in Moray I am told there has been patients from high risk areas which have been tested, thankfully negatively.
"I have asked senior officials to confirm that we have a plan in place to deal with this and the effects it might have on primary and secondary care. Officers have told me that NHS Grampian has a major infectious disease plan which sets out arrangements in the event of a global pandemic. As yet this plan has not been activated however it is ready to go and parts are being prepared just in case. NHS Grampian link in with the Scottish incident management team and UK chief medical officers to ensure a co-ordinated response for the whole of the country.
"In the event of an outbreak, which we all hope does not happen, the Grampian local resilience partnership is prepared which bring together police, fire, NHS and local government to ensure health, fuel, food and public order are all looked after and maintained throughout any incident.
"The over-riding message from officers is the we should be assured that long-standing plans and arrangements are in place and the systems to response, if needed are already in motion.
"I think it is vital we make sure the public know we have plans in place, as we should all be following the advice of NHS in general to cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze, only use a tissue once, wash your hands and avoid close contact with people if you are unwell.
"My hope is that the actions being put in place by our governments will ensure this never becomes a problem but, as we have recently seen in Italy, we need to ensure we are prepared."
