ACUTE PAIN SUFFERERS in Moray have been given new hope that treatment is closer at hand with an undertaking that a new clinic will be opened at Dr Gray’s by February.
Moray’s MSP Richard Lochhead chaired discussions this week between members of a local chronic pain support group and representatives from NHS Grampian.
The group have been campaigning for the reintroduction of a pain relief clinic in Moray as currently sufferers have to travel to Aberdeen for regular treatment. The group was formed earlier this year after promises of a new clinic being established by March were not met.
In May this year further assurances were given that a clinic would be in place by December, but again that was later amended to February 2016.
Now Mr Lochhead has welcomed promises at Monday’s meeting of plans that are now being put in place to reinstate the Dr Gray’s clinic, with two visiting consultants from Aberdeen visiting Elgin regularly from February.
Speaking after the meeting, Richard Lochhead said: “I’m really pleased that the outcome of the meeting is that we now have assurances that there will be a pain service available to Moray patients at Dr Gray’s from February.
“Since the service was withdrawn in 2011, we have had a number of false dawns but it is encouraging to hear that the clinic will be up and running in the coming months.
“NHS staff at the meeting recognised the frustration of local patients who, due to the very nature of their condition, find it incredibly difficult to travel to ARI for appointments.
“I want to commend Chris and Jeni from the Affa Sair group for the work they’re doing to support pain sufferers locally, to raise awareness of the issue and to do what they can to ensure that chronic pain patients in Moray have their voices heard.
“A great many of my constituents suffer from chronic pain and will benefit from services being delivered locally and I think we can all take heart that there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.”