The pain clinic at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin will be restored by the end of this year, ending a 130-mile ordeal for patients.
People suffering from chronic conditions have had to make a round trip to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment since Moray lost its specialised service in 2011.
News of its return emerged yesterday following top-level talks between Moray MSP Richard Lochhead and NHS Grampian chief executive Malcolm Wright and chairman Professor Stephen Logan.
It is hoped the clinic will be dealing with referred patients by December.
The Elgin hospital is also in line for a third accident and emergency consultant, with a vacancy being advertised this week.
Mr Lochhead said the promises were “great news” for a largely rural population with unique health service requirements.
He said: “I very much welcome the commitment the new management team have given to delivering good NHS services in Moray and to ensuring Dr Gray’s receives the resources it requires to allow staff to do their job.
“We owe a huge debt to our staff at Dr Gray’s because they work flat out, but, because it’s a smaller hospital, if there are any vacancies it brings significant pressures, unlike a larger hospital where there are more consultants to help plug gaps.
“I’m hopeful that progress will be made on a number of the specific pressures that impact both staff and services – from needing more clinics to be held by area-based consultants in Elgin to filling some of the vacancies that have been unfilled for far too long.”
During December, 95% of Dr Gray’s accident and emergency cases were seen within four hours, meaning the hospital hit the Scottish Government target.
In comparison, just 89.4% of patients at ARI were seen on time.
Mr Wright commended the performance of a limited Moray workforce over the busy winter period.
He aid: “I think it’s fair to say Dr Gray’s as a hospital performs well – in terms of A&E attendances, in terms of discharges, in terms of patient safety and in terms of cleanliness in the hospital.
“We at NHS Grampian are committed to sustaining an important service at Dr Gray’s as part of a comprehensive provision across the region.”
Mr Logan added: “As chairman, it’s delightful to visit Dr Gray’s and get an idea of some of the challenges facing the hospital and also to acknowledge the success that it has had in providing a fantastic service for patients in this area.”
The future of Forres’ historic Leanchoil Hospital, which currently has nine beds, was also discussed.
Mr Lochhead added: “Clearly, it’s an ongoing debate over the future of Leanchoil, and I reiterated the fact that the people of Forres felt it was important to have beds located in the town.”