Maternity services in Moray - Politicians endorse Dr Gray's open letter
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An open letter is calling for a clear road map regarding how and when a full maternity service will return to Dr Gray's.
Written by the Keep MUM campaign group, the letter has been endorsed by politicians across the party divide, including both Richard Lochhead, Moray's SNP MSP, and Douglas Ross, its Conservative MP.
It has been penned ahead of this Wednesday when Humza Yousaf, Scotland's Health Secretary, will make an announcement at Holyrood about the future of the Elgin hospital.
The vast majority of Moray mums have faced having to go Aberdeen to give birth ever since Dr Gray's maternity service was downgraded in 2018 due to a lack of consultants.
Kirsty Watson, who is the spokesperson for Keep MUM, said: "The safety of expectant mothers and their babies transcends party political differences.
"We are grateful to our local MSPs who have supported our letter – thank you Karen Adam, Rhoda Grant, Richard Lochhead, Emma Roddick and Douglas Ross.
"It’s good to know that there is solid cross political party support should the campaign need to step up further."
Keep MUM's letter is addressed to both Mr Yousaf and the First Minister.
It states:
"Thank you to the Health Secretary for visiting Elgin on 21st March. It was appreciated and we hope that you left with a clear picture of the concerns of local people.
"In summary, this is what we believe the people of Moray (and Banff) need:
- A clear route back to a consultant led maternity service which allows the vast majority of Moray and Banff women to deliver their babies in Elgin. Currently, approximately 750 out of 1000 births take place in Aberdeen.
- Investment in Dr Gray’s hospital to secure its position as a District General Hospital and to provide a strong foundation for the restoration of the consultant led maternity service.
- A roadmap with clear milestones to the ultimate goal of restoring the consultant led maternity service.
- Appointment of an independent external body, including community representation, to monitor the whole project.
The letter continues: "It is important to record our support of the expansion of the maternity unit in Raigmore Hospital.
"Raigmore needs this investment ‘in its own right’ and to benefit Highland women, not as a solution to the problems of Moray Maternity Services.
"We look forward to your announcement on Wednesday, 30th March.
"With best wishes."
The letter has been signed by Kirsty Watson on behalf of Keep MUM Campaign.
Other signatures come from Ali Mudford and Emily Balls, Moray and Banff Maternity Voices Partnership Co-Chairs; Sandy Adam, Chairman Springfield Properties; Latnem Peer Support; Moray Chamber of Commerce and the Whyte Family Trust.
The political groups and figures who have signed it are the Moray Conservative and Unionist Party; Moray Scottish National Party; Karen Adam MSP; Rhoda Grant MSP; Richard Lochhead MSP; Emma Roddick MSP and Douglas Ross MSP.
