Scottish Conservatives' manifesto to include pledge to restore consultant-led maternity services at Dr Gray’s
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THE Scottish Conservatives' election manifesto will include a pledge to reinstate consultant-led maternity services at Dr Gray’s Hospital.
In his speech today to the Scottish Conservative Party virtual conference, Moray MP Douglas Ross challenged other parties in Scotland to make the same commitment.
The pledge was one of a package of measures announced to help rebuild the economy after the Covid pandemic, including major investment in "wraparound" childcare for P1-3 parents, £120 million to help pupils catch-up with schooling, £500 retraining grants and a fair funding deal for local councils.
In recent weeks local maternity campaigners Keep MUM have stepped up calls for action to reinstate the consultant-led maternity unit in Elgin – three years after the service was temporarily downgraded to midwife-led level over staffing issues.
Mr Ross said the party sought to rebuild and empower local communities.
He said: "Campaigners in Moray are rightly concerned that the temporary reduction in service at Dr Gray’s has already lasted three years and could become permanent.
"That’s why the Scottish Conservatives will state very clearly in our election manifesto that we will restore the consultant-led service at Dr Gray’s.
"It will be a clear, unambiguous commitment to reinstate the service that is so badly needed here by mums-to-be and families who have suffered as a result of the downgrading almost three years ago.
"I challenge the other parties to match that commitment. If they don’t do so, then voters should be asking why."
Scottish Conservative council group leader and parliamentary candidate for Moray Tim Eagle added: "This is a huge issue locally. The reduction in service at Dr Gray’s has affected families across Moray over the past three years.
"Mums-to-be and their partners have endured lengthy drives of 100 miles and more to get in and out of Aberdeen to give birth. That shouldn’t have to happen.
"During the winter months, the journey along the A96 can be treacherous – and the road was closed altogether last month due to snowdrifts.
"The Scottish Conservatives will stand up for these families and make sure maternity services at Dr Gray's are fully restored."
