Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Maternity and parent groups to get say on ‘interim’ fix for Dr Gray’s services

Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin
Dr Gray's Hospital saw 149 people attend accident and emergency on an icy day in December - twice as many as usual. Image Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

Maternity and infant groups across Moray will be given the chance to shape plans to improve services in the region.

Dr Gray’s Hospital downgraded its consultant-led maternity services in 2018.

Since then, mums-to-be have had to go to either Aberdeen Maternity Hospital or Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to give birth.

The Scottish Government said this week that it is “committed” to reinstating services, but it could take many years.

NHS Grampian is working towards an “interim” fix for Dr Gray’s, and as part of that redesign to deliver a networked model, a series of consultations will be held in the coming weeks.

Hannah Ronald, the health board’s community engagement manager for maternity and parent and infant mental health services, will visit groups to hear about antenatal, birth and postnatal experiences, talk through the proposed plans, and answer questions on the current – or future – provisions.

‘Local needs at the heart’

She said: “The Scottish Government instructed NHS Grampian and NHS Highland to begin work towards a shared maternity model, networked ‘model four’, earlier this year.

“Since then both health boards have been working together towards this goal whilst putting local needs at the heart of a wider and changing health system.

“In the meantime, work is also under way on the development of a plan to deliver model six, a full obstetric service based in Moray, and we’re keen to work in partnership with the local community and hear what people have to say.”

Simon Bokor-Ingram, chief officer of Moray’s Health and Social Care Partnership, is leading the development of these plans.

He added: “It’s essential the planning for maternity services ties in with wider plans for Dr Gray’s and there’s a lot to look forward to.

Simon Bokor-Ingram
Simon Bokor-Ingram

“Supporting the recruitment and retention of staff to health and social care services is a crucial part of what we’re aiming to do, and this is all very much part of NHS Grampian’s Plan for the Future.

“We are absolutely committed to developing and delivering services which are safe and sustainable.

“Continuing to engage with local people will help us to make sure everyone can help shape the future of healthcare in Moray.”

Where and when are the consultations?

  • October 29, 10am-noon: Happy Mums Market, Elgin Town Hall
  • November 3, 12.30pm-2.30pm: Elgin Babysteps, The Bosie, High Street, Elgin
  • November 4, 10am-noon: Moray Sling Library, Moray College
  • November 11, 2pm-3.30pm: Bookbugs Elgin, Elgin Library
  • November 24, 10.30am-noon: Bookbugs Lossiemouth, Lossiemouth Library
  • December 1, 11am-12.30pm: Bookbugs Buckie, Buckie Library
  • December 1, 1.45pm-3.15pm: Bookbugs Aberlour, Aberlour Library

Anyone keen to help shape the development of Moray’s maternity services can join their local, independent Maternity Voices Partnership – e-mail moraymvp@gmail.com

Alternatively, contact NHS Grampian by e-mailing gram.maternityengagement@nhs.scot

Conversation