Moray maternity campaigners welcome review into Dr Gray services
The review will look into how consultant-led services could be reintroduced in Elgin
Campaigners are "delighted" an independent review will look into how maternity services could be restored at Dr Gray's.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman confirmed yesterday that NHS Borders Chief Executive Ralph Roberts will lead the review into how a consultant-led service can be restored in Elgin.
Campaign group Keep Maternity Unit in Moray (Keep MUM) have been urging for the maternity services to be restored since they were downgraded in 2018.
Marj Adams from the group says she's feeling positive about this review compared to previous ones.
She said: "Keep Mum is absolutely delighted to hear about the independent review.
"It’s what we’ve been asking for and we really welcome it.
"We’re very encouraged by the comments in the statement from Jeane Freeman where it says the independent review will consider how a consultant led service could be reinstated.
"In previous reviews, it has always been about whether there should be a consultant led service.
"This review seems to be saying 'you’re going to reinstate the consultant service how will you do it safely'.
"At the moment nearly all births from Moray are taking place in Aberdeen, hardly any are taking place in Elgin.
"I hope that NHS Grampian will seize the opportunity to work with the local community and get this sorted once and for all."
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says she remains "committed" to restoring consultant led maternity services.
She said: "The Scottish Government is pleased this review will be led by Ralph Roberts who has considerable experience of the challenges of remote and rural health care delivery through his work in NHS Borders and NHS Shetland.
"My position hasn’t changed and I remain committed to the reintroduction of consultant-led maternity services at Dr Gray’s in a safe and sustainable way.
"This Independent Review will consider, and where appropriate contribute to, the work underway in the ‘Best Start North’ review, commissioned jointly by NHS Grampian, Highland and the Island Boards, to examine the model of maternity and neonatal services in the North that will report later in the year.
"The review will consider all the issues and hear directly from staff at Dr Gray’s and the local community. I expect the review to conclude and report to the Cabinet Secretary in June 2021.”
NHS Grampian says this is a "positive move forward" for all involved.
Chief Executive, Professor Caroline Hiscox, said: "We look forward to working with all of the parties involved over the next couple of months to make sure we put in place a service that is safe, sustainable and meets the needs of people across Moray.
"The scope of the review, which will take into account the views of local people, healthcare staff and families, as well as explore potential solutions using the resources of both NHS Grampian and NHS Highland, is also hugely welcome.
"We are eager to explore any options for the service identified by the review team and in particular any solutions that will enable us to deliver consultant care safely and sustainably in Elgin. This is a positive move forward for our staff and population in Moray."