Concerns have been raised over maternity provision in Aberdeenshire as the green light was given on plans to reinstate a consultant-led service in Elgin.
Families across Moray will see a phased return to obstetric maternity services at Dr Gray’s, starting with complex obstetric antenatal care later this year.
This will be followed by the return of elective C-section births in early 2025 and the reinstatement of a full consultant-led service returning in 2026.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, who is currently bidding to become the new first minister, confirmed the plans will proceed with £6.6 million of investment.
However, concerns have been raised further down the coast in Peterhead over a “chronic shortage” of maternity facilities across Banff and Buchan.
The situation was laid bare after the town’s community midwife unit was forced to temporarily close to births, following a Legionella outbreak last month.
Dr Gray’s maternity unit
A staffing crisis in summer 2018 led the maternity unit at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin to be “temporarily” downgraded from consultant-led to midwife-led.
The downgrade has left the majority of mums facing either a 90-minute trip to Aberdeen or a 60-minute trip to Inverness.
We have documented two examples of ambulances having to stop on the way while women give birth – both in a six-month period.
And more recently, we shared how harrowing accounts of emergency births in laybys along the A96 are forcing people to think twice about putting down roots in Moray.
NHS Grampian deputy chief executive Adam Coldwells previously said the health board required £7m a year to help more women give birth in Moray.
A spokesman for the Scottish Government confirmed the £6.6m is an annual figure covering 2023-24.
He added: “We will work with NHS Grampian and Highland on financial modelling to inform future funding.”
Marj Adams, from the Keep Mum campaign group, said while they welcome the funding, they would expect the Scottish Government to provide this annually.
‘Significant’ step
NHS Grampian chief executive Caroline Hiscox said the cash will enable them to “start the recruitment process as soon as possible” to attract staff.
She added: “This is a significant and welcome step, which I know will be warmly welcomed by families, midwives and clinicians across Moray.
“We have worked tirelessly to develop robust models that can deliver a safe and sustainable maternity service for Moray.”
The plan for an integrated maternity service for the north of Scotland has been developed jointly by NHS Grampian and NHS Highland.
A networked model of care with Raigmore Hospital will see Moray women offered a choice of place of birth in early 2025, once refurbishment has concluded.
Refurbishment of the Raigmore maternity unit will be supported through a previously announced £5m of earmarked funding.
Ms Adams said they are “very concerned” there has been no mention of the views of Inverness clinicians, who previously raised concerns over capacity at the hospital.
She added the group also wants to hear from the Scottish Government over what actions they will take to support the health board with recruitment.
Maternity services in Peterhead
Meanwhile, pregnant women in Peterhead have been warned they will have to either give birth in Aberdeen or Inverurie after a Legionella outbreak at the town’s hospital.
The bacteria was detected at the site last month, leading to the temporary closure of the maternity unit to all births, and other wards.
The water issues affect toilet facilities, the provision of catering and other key components of care, as well as shower facilities.
Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid, who was contacted by concerned constituents, said the temporary closure at Peterhead “highlights the chronic shortage of maternity facilities across Banff and Buchan”.
“Not only does this impact pregnant women in Peterhead, those living in areas across the region have been left to bear the brunt in addition to facilities shutting in Fraserburgh and Banff over the years due to Scottish Government cuts”, he added.
Katie Colville, Associate Director of Midwifery for NHS Grampian, said the closure was “not a decision we have taken lightly” but stressed the safety of women and their families, as well as staff, is the “first priority”.
She added: “The reintroduction of this service is a very high priority for us and the temporary pause will not go on for any longer than is absolutely necessary.”
Speaking to the Press and Journal on the campaign trail in Arbroath, Mr Yousaf offered to speak to colleagues in the region over what more can be done.
He added: “But it all comes down to workforce and for me I am keen to ensure we build on that as much as possible, hence my rural housing plan to bring empty houses back into use for key workers”.
Conversation