Independent Review of Moray maternity service

An Independent Review is to be held into maternity services at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin.

The review has been commissioned by the Health Secretary Jeane Freeman. It will be led by Chief Executive of NHS Borders Ralph Roberts who will report the findings and recommendations in June 2021.

The Independent Review will consider how a consultant-led service could be reinstated that is safe, deliverable and sustainable and will take into account the views of women, their families, staff and stakeholders.

Maternity services at the NHS Grampian unit were redesignated in July 2018 because of staff shortages.

Ms Freeman said:

“The Scottish Government is pleased this review will be led by Ralph Roberts who has considerable experience of the challenges of remote and rural health care delivery through his work in NHS Borders and NHS Shetland.

“My position hasn’t changed and I remain committed to the reintroduction of consultant-led maternity services at Dr Gray’s in a safe and sustainable way. This Independent Review will consider, and where appropriate contribute to, the work underway in the ‘Best Start North’ review, commissioned jointly by NHS Grampian, Highland and the Island Boards, to examine the model of maternity and neonatal services in the North that will report later in the year. 

“The review will consider all the issues and hear directly from staff at Dr Gray’s and the local community. I expect the review to conclude and report to the Cabinet Secretary in June 2021.”

Mr Roberts said:

“I am pleased to be invited to lead this review, and look forward to working with families and staff in Moray and listening to their views so that a clear way forward for these essential services can be identified.”