Patient services at Moray’s main hospital should not be overshadowed by recent troubles facing Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) and NHS Grampian.
Since the former NHS Grampian chief executive, Richard Carey, stepped down in October a report has been published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland into the quality of care at the ARI.
That report made a number of recommendations to improve the service delivered at the ARI and indicated that there had been a breakdown in relations between management and clinicians in Aberdeen.
However, with much of the focus on the ARI, Moray’s MSP Richard Lochhead said he is keen to ensure that Dr Gray’s Hospital is also a part of continuous improvement plans.
To that end the MSP will meet today with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Shona Robison MSP, to discuss the current challenges facing NHS Grampian and what recent events will mean for Dr Gray’s and patients in Moray.
Mr Lochhead said: “I’m looking forward to meeting with the new Health Secretary to discuss the future of the Dr Gray’s and services that are delivered there.
“I know from speaking with people from across Moray how they highly value locally delivered healthcare and that the dedication of our NHS staff is greatly appreciated by my constituents.
“Recent months have been difficult for NHS Grampian and I welcome the commitment of the board to accept the recommendations of the Healthcare Improvement Scotland report to improve the quality of care at ARI.
“I am, however, keen to ensure that as NHS Grampian moves forward and Dr Gray’s is part of the continuous improvement and considered a key part of healthcare delivery in the region.
“Our NHS staff, patients and wider public in Moray deserve nothing less.”