New temporary MRI unit at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin ‘welcome’ but need for permanent solution remains say Moray politicians
Confirmation that a temporary mobile MRI scanner will be brought to Dr Gray’s Hospital within a matter of weeks has been welcomed but calls to find a permanent solution have been reiterated.
The facility, funded by the Scottish Government, will be on site from December 1 until the end of March 2026, providing additional capacity for eligible patients across the Grampian area.
NHS Grampian says that the scanner will cut waiting lists and allow Moray patients to get scans closer to home.
However, more complex scans will still need to be carried out in Aberdeen.
Some of Moray’s most prominent politicians have welcomed the news but added that they will push for a permanent solution.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said the new unit will make a “real difference” to those waiting for scans.
He said: “Having been calling for MRI facilities at Dr Gray’s for some time, I’m delighted the Scottish Government has funded this initiative, which will make a big difference in reducing waiting times for patients in Moray and across Grampian.
“As Moray’s MSP I very much welcome this temporary arrangement and will of course continue to press NHS Grampian to find a way to make MRI services available more permanently at Dr Gray’s.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross, while welcoming the news, says that patients in the region “deserve better” than a “stop gap solution”.
He said: “While I hope this will reduce the waiting times for many suffering patients, I will still be pushing for funding to be put in place to guarantee a scanner will be in place permanently at Dr Gray’s.
“Plans are in place and everything is ready. We just need the green light and funding from SNP Ministers and this long promised improvement to Dr Gray’s could be delivered.
“Patients and staff in Moray deserve better than a stop gap solution and having a permanent scanner in place would also help ease the pressure on services right across NHS Grampian.”