
A LONG AWAITED clinic in Moray aimed at treating local patients suffering from chronic pain has been welcomed by a local campaign group.
Sufferers were required to travel for specialist treatment to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary when the original clinic was closed some years ago.
Campaigners set up the ‘Affa Sair’ group led by Forres sufferer Chris Bridgeford – and with the help of local MSP Richard Lochhead, applied pressure on NHS Grampian to restore a local clinic.
Despite several delays caused by staffing and accommodation issues, the Elgin Pain Clinic finally opened earlier this month with Dr Nagaraja and Dr Naomi Scott taking patients on alternate weeks.
Welcoming the arrival of the clinic, Mr Bridgeford said: “All new referrals to the clinic will continue to be administered from Aberdeen but those who live locally or express a preference to be seen in Elgin will be offered an appointment there. Waiting times will be the same whether a patient is seen in Aberdeen or Elgin.
“Patients from the Elgin area who have already seen Dr Nagaraja or Dr Scott in Aberdeen will be offered a review appointment in Elgin.
“Affa Sair are delighted to see Pain Services re-established at Dr Gray’s and would urge all chronic pain sufferers to ask their GP to refer them to the new service.
“Affa Sair are extremely grateful for the efforts of Staff and Management to facilitate the return of the services and also providing a space for the Group to meet monthly in Room 14 of the Alexander Graham Bell Hub at Moray College.”
The drop-in meetings are on different days each month from 1pm to 3pm and more details can be found at www.affasair.weebly.com.