Moray MP Douglas Ross is looking for a meeting with health chiefs in the coming weeks to discuss ongoing problems at Dr Gray’s hospital in Elgin.
Mr Ross is hoping to hold talks with Scottish Government Health Secretary Jeane Freeman and NHS Grampian Chief Executive Amanda Croft.
He believes that the health board needs to provide a slicker service for patients and for staff in Moray next year, as complaints about waiting lists and delayed procedures dominated his post bag in 2018 and are taking their toll on everyone concerned.
Mr Ross said: “We owe a great debt to everyone who works for the NHS including the doctors, nurses and midwives, to all the medical support staff.
“I know they all work extremely hard and do a fantastic job under immense pressure.
“Sadly, there just don’t seem to be enough of them to go around and ultimately it is the patients who suffer because of this.”
“When these patients are eventually seen, most tell me that the standard of care is fantastic, and they cannot praise the staff highly enough.
“I have absolutely no doubt medical staff are doing the best job they can, despite a lack of resources and support.”
Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin has had a troubled year, with the maternity services downgraded in the summer due to the lack of pediatric consultants.
However, NHS Grampian are currently working on a plan to re-install a consultant-led service as soon as possible, as medium and high-risk pregnant women have to travel through to Aberdeen or Inverness to give birth.
A public meeting has been set up in Elgin on Monday January 28 so that local people can be updated on the state of that maternity plan.
Mr Ross added: “I will be seeking a meeting with the Scottish Health Secretary and Chief Executive of NHS Grampian in the New Year.
“We need to ascertain how the SNP Scottish Government is going to steer NHS Grampian out of this crisis which is affecting so many of the constituents I represent.”