A MSP has held “constructive” talks with health bosses about recruitment issues on the children’s ward at Moray’s biggest hospital.
Just three consultants are responsible for round-the-clock care for the paediatric department at Elgin’s Dr Gray’s Hospital.
The meeting took place as the facility continues to struggle with junior doctor recruitment problems.
The change means that, from today, there no specialist paediatric service available at the facility from 10pm to 8am.
Children will be seen by their GP or the emergency department for assessment before a specialist in Aberdeen is contacted for advice.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead has met with NHS Grampian chief executive Malcolm Wright to discuss an action plan for improving recruitment at Dr Gray’s.
Mr Lochhead wants the measures to be published in a bid to reassure the public that the health authority is working on a solution to address the problem.
He said: “I’ve met with the chief executive of NHS Grampian to seek the publication of an action plan, which brings together all the measures under way to attract medical professionals.
“That’s especially paediatricians and trainee doctors to allow the paediatric services to be restored to a round-the-clock service as soon as possible.
“The current modification to the service will hopefully be only temporary but clearly this is not the first time staff shortages have caused such problems and concern locally will continue to grow until stability is restored.
“I do welcome the efforts of local management to minimise both the impact of the changes and the need to transfer children to Aberdeen.
“I also recognised that the staff have been working really hard to maintain, what in a smaller hospital, is a fragile service.
“The key point is that we need to attract more applicants to apply for the vacancies at Dr Gray’s and accelerate the steps being taken to do just that.
“The publication of a clear action plan will provide the local community with the assurance this is underway.”
A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian added: “Our meeting with Mr Lochhead was constructive and we are grateful to him – and many other local stakeholders – for their willingness to work with us to develop a sustainable way forward for Dr Gray’s.”