Holyrood update on Moray maternity services "a total let down" - Douglas Ross
However Health Secretary Humza Yousaf says he remains committed to the delivery of a consultant-led maternity service in Dr Gray’s Hospital.
A ministerial update on the future of Moray maternity services has been heavily criticised by the Scottish Conservative leader.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf outlined how he remains committed to the delivery of a consultant-led maternity service in Dr Gray’s Hospital.
However, he also explained how "further work is required" before plans to allow more Moray women to give birth at Raigmore in the interim can get the go-ahead.
It comes as clinicians and maternity campaigners have expressed concerns over more women giving birth in Inverness, saying there's not enough space in the Highland capital.
Statement "insult" to Moray mums and maternity campaigners - Douglas Ross
Following Humza Yousaf's statement, Highland MSP and Moray MP Douglas Ross says the update "offered nothing new"
He said: "This statement from Humza Yousaf offered absolutely no comfort to expectant mothers and families in Moray and those who are campaigning tirelessly for the return of consultant services at Dr Gray’s.
"We are no further forward as a result of the Health Secretary’s latest statement to Parliament. The plans to continue pressing ahead with Model 4 is the wrong approach and he must urgently drop these proposals and get all of the focus and resource on delivering Model 6.
"Humza Yousaf stubbornly refuses to say when Dr Gray’s will get the consultant-led maternity unit we need, but it’s previously been suggested it could take ten years.
"That is an insult to local campaigners and mums. We urgently need to see progress from the Scottish Government and NHS Grampian for local families.
"Humza Yousaf cannot continue to bury his head in the sand. He must listen to the clinicians who wrote to him in no uncertain terms ahead of this statement.
"They rightly say Model 4 is flawed and should be rejected, but Humza Yousaf typically thinks he and the SNP Government know better.
"It is little wonder Keep MUM and other campaigners will be left profoundly disappointed by the lack of detail and progress in this latest statement.
"The Heath Secretary avoided giving an update on these plans for as long as possible, but when he finally did so, it offered nothing new. On emergency Caesareans he has failed to bring these back, despite promising their rapid reintroduction at Dr Gray’s almost a year ago.
"This statement was a total let down for those in Moray who are desperate for answers and leadership from Humza Yousaf.
"It feels like we are further away than ever from a return of consultant-led services at Dr Gray’s but I will not stop challenging the SNP Government until that happens."
"Clear ignorance" by Scottish Government - Rhoda Grant
Fears were also expressed by Labour MSP Rhoda Grant.
She said: "This statement does nothing to comfort me or my constituents in Moray who are deeply concerned about how the delivery of consultant let maternity services in Dr Gray’s is going to be reinstated.
"The Cabinet Secretary says that he hears concerns from clinicians and community campaign groups but he offers no solutions on how to resolve these issues.
"Moray women are still going to have to travel great distances to give birth and clinicians in Raigmore Hospital still have safety concerns.
"There is a clear ignorance by the Scottish Government for the rural challenges that exist, meaning more mums will travel from Moray to Inverness for maternity care.
"There was also nothing said in regard to the national crisis with recruitment and retention of the clinicians required to deliver safe maternity services. Until these issues are addressed, I am not confident in the delivery of a consultant led maternity service at Dr Gray’s Hospital. "
Clinicians' concerns heard "very clearly" - Humza Yousaf
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf outlined his commitment to the return of consultant-led services in Moray.
He said: "The Scottish Government remains committed to the delivery of a consultant-led maternity service in Dr Gray’s Hospital, and the model 4 plan is an important step towards achieving this. Model 4 will provide obstetric maternity care closer to home for Moray women while NHS Grampian put plans in place to return to consultant-led services at Dr Gray’s.
"Having met with local campaign groups and the relevant Health Boards this week, before giving approval to the Model 4 plans I am very clear that further work is required, and there are elements to be worked through locally and nationally to deliver for families in Moray.
"I have also heard very clearly the concerns raised by Clinicians and have asked our External Assurance Panel to provide me with a level of reassurance around assumptions in Model 4 plans.
"At a local level, clinical teams in Highland and Grampian need to develop the safe pathways of care to bring reassurance to both the women and clinicians.
"At a national level we are determined to address the ongoing challenge of recruitment in rural areas.
"I expect to receive the next phase of the plan for improvements by the end of December. And of course I will endeavour to keep this Parliament updated."