Hundreds of protesters have marched together in a show of solidarity against the looming downgrade of Moray’s only maternity unit.
More than 300 people, many waving home-made banners and flags, attended a demonstration in Elgin at the weekend where campaigners told NHS Grampian: “We will not go away.”
Services at Dr Gray’s Hospital will be reduced from Wednesday due to a shortage of junior doctors, meaning all medium and high-risk births will be transferred to Aberdeen or Inverness.
The NHS has warned that the disruption could last up to a year while stressing the temporary changes will result in the “safest possible service” in the short-term.
However, campaigners say health officials should have forecasted the staffing shortfall and believe they still have the power to avoid the need for repeated journeys on the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road.
A petition opposing the move has now been signed by more than 12,000 people and campaigner Kirsty Watson, a member of the Keep Mum campaign group, believes that Saturday’s protest makes them impossible to be ignored.
She said: “Obviously we’ve had a lot of backing on the petition but seeing so many people coming together to show their support is really powerful.
“We’ve asked to see the risk assessments done, because we don’t think these changes are safe, as well as a timeline for how they intend to make the changes they say they are going to – but we have neither.
“We’re going to be keeping a watchful eye on NHS Grampian in the short and longer-term.”
It is understood that health officials are making preparations to hold a public meeting in Elgin about the changes later this month.
During an event in the town last week, management explained that investigations are being done to enhance job roles in order to make Dr Gray’s more attractive to junior staff.
However, fears persist that journeys on the A96 could prove dangerous for mums-to-be who are in labour.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead attended the demonstration with his 10-year-old son Fraser, who was born following an emergency caesarean section at Dr Gray’s.
He said: “Obviously I attended in my role as an MSP but I know how much these services are valued because my own family has benefitted directly from them.
“If the NHS think they can dilly-dally, delay bringing the services back or leave it the way it is then they’ve got another thing coming – Moray won’t tolerate that. The fantastic turnout illustrates that.”
Moray MP Douglas Ross believes long-term changes can be implemented sooner than the one-year estimate outlined by health officials.
He said: “There are severe implications if something goes wrong. Moray needs better than this and we should be considering stronger action.
“I don’t take the argument from NHS Grampian that we can’t force doctors to come through to Elgin to work because it seems acceptable to force pregnant women to travel the other way to give birth.”
Mums-to-be and children join protest opposing downgrade of Moray maternity unit
Dozens of pregnant women who were expecting to give birth at Dr Gray’s as well as mothers whose children have already been born there were among the weekend’s demonstration.
Colourful banners were created for the event with slogans including “Don’t put our unborn baby at risk, “More doctors please” and “Recruit not boot-oot” among the messages of solidarity.
Pictures of ultrasound scans were attached to some of the placards – showing some of the children who may have to be born in Aberdeen or Inverness as a result of the changes.
Shelley O’Neill, from Elgin, was expecting to have her first child delivered in her hometown in October but now faces the prospect of travelling elsewhere.
She said: “What happens if labour progresses quickly? I can’t imagine what that situation would be like for my family to suddenly have to go through to Aberdeen like that.
“This staffing issue can’t have arisen overnight for senior management. Action must have been taken to attract staff to ensure my baby and I are not put at any risk.”
Emma Hendry, from Elgin, had two children born at Dr Gray’s.
She said: “NHS Grampian still has the power to solve this. I appreciate that lots of industries have difficulties recruiting in Moray but I feel there must be other things they can try.”
And Marj Adams, who was a prominent figure in the previous Keep Mum campaign to have the specialist unit opened in Moray in the 1990s, voiced her support for the current cause.
The Elgin resident gave birth in Huntly in 1985 after being forced to abort an emergency trip from Moray to Aberdeen.
She said: “My life was saved that night by a GP who came out at 2.30am. My story isn’t unique though, lots of women had similar experiences.
“NHS Grampian needs to be held to account for the current situation. They have known for years that staffing is problematic.”