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Ross issues Dr Gray's Hospital maternity unit pledge challenge


By Alan Beresford

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MORAY MSP Richard Lochhead has been challenged to match a Tory election pledge to restore a consultant-led maternity service at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin.

Conservative MP for Moray and Scottish party leader Douglas Ross announced at his party’s virtual conference that their manifesto would include the commitment.

Campaign group Keep MUM have voiced fresh concerns in recent weeks about the future of the unit, almost three years after the service was reduced.

Mums-to-be have faced round trips of more than 100 miles to give birth in Aberdeen or Inverness since the downgrading at Dr Gray’s in July 2018.

Mr Ross said: “Instead of indulging in petty politicking as he has over the past week, perhaps Richard Lochhead should focus on the issues that really matter to people.

“My party has made a very clear, unambiguous commitment in our election manifesto that we will restore the consultant-led maternity service at Dr Gray’s.

“Richard Lochhead should do the same. He should set out, without any caveat or condition, what his position is on reinstating a full consultant-led maternity service and if the SNP will match the Scottish Conservative promise to include it in their manifesto.

“I am sure people in Moray would be much more interested in what he thinks about local issues like this.

"The downgrading at Dr Gray's has affected so many mothers-to-be in this area over the past three years. My inbox has been inundated with complaints and concerns when families face long and sometimes treacherous car journeys to and from Aberdeen.

"I’m giving people a guarantee that they will see this service fully reinstated, will the SNP?."

Mr Lochhead hit back, stating that restoration of consultant-led maternity services at the hospital was existing Scottish Government policy.

"It’s ironic that the Tories can release a statement that’s very political and yet which accuses others of playing politics," he continued.

"I welcome the Tory Party’s growing interest in the future of Dr Gray’s that just happens to coincide with the beginning of an election campaign.

“What the public want to see is everyone putting their weight behind the campaign to have the consultant-led service at Dr Gray’s maternity unit restored and I won’t rest until that has been achieved.

“It is of course already Scottish Government policy to restore the service and I am awaiting a response from the Health Secretary following our recent meeting.”



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