Dr Gray’s surgeries situation set for spotlight as Health Secretary announces visit to hospital
The Scottish Health Secretary is set to visit Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin to discuss various challenges facing the facility.
Neil Gray has accepted an invitation from local MSP Richard Lochhead to come to Moray where a variety of ongoing issues, including the pause on orthopaedic procedures and the progress being made to restore consultant-led maternity services in Elgin.will be on the table.
Mr Lochhead said: “Earlier this year I invited the Health Secretary to visit Dr Gray’s Hospital and I’m delighted he’s accepted my invitation to come to Moray.
“The frontline staff at Dr Gray’s do an incredible job in caring for people in our local community, despite the significant pressures on the NHS right now.
“There are obviously key areas of concern, including the pause by NHS Grampian on orthopaedic procedures at Dr Gray’s, and I’m only too well aware that many people are now facing lengthy waits for surgery. We need to see a clear plan from NHS Grampian bosses for the reinstatement of this service at Dr Gray’s Hospital as soon as possible.
“Mr Gray’s visit will also be an opportunity for him to meet with the maternity services project team, which is working hard to restore Moray’s consultant-led maternity service. Real progress has been made and I’m hopeful we’ll see elective c-sections restart at Dr Gray’s in the coming months.
“We’re now working to get a date in the diary for this visit and I look forward to welcoming the Health Secretary to Moray in due course.”
Last year saw around 100 surgeries planned for Elgin shifted to Aberdeen, with patients having to travel to Woodend Hospital to receive their orthopaedic operations. Unplanned absences among key Dr Gray’s staff was blamed for the changes.
