Health bosses have stressed that efforts to restore Moray’s largest hospital to full strength cannot be done “in a vacuum”.
NHS Grampian agreed yesterday to create a new transformation board for Dr Gray’s as part of efforts to make it the “benchmark” for smaller hospitals across Scotland.
However, during a board meeting held in Elgin, management stressed that improvements to the unit’s maternity and children’s services had to be done while taking in considerations from other departments and services across Moray and the whole of the north-east.
Paul Bachoo, the NHS’ acute medical director, detailed the heritage of Dr Gray’s stretching back to before it was built in 1807 – explaining its operations have been intertwined with Aberdeen since 1888 when surgeons and physicians originally made visits from the Granite City.
He added: “We want to preserve the hospital’s special history while also serving the community and preserving the links to the trauma unit in Inverness 40 miles north and the major trauma centre, which is 60 miles south.”
Dr Jamie Hogg, clinical director at Dr Gray’s, described the next steps for the hospital as “exciting” with new staffing arrangements being drafted to give the unit a sustainable future.
But he stressed that about 80% of small hospitals in Scotland are forced to rely on temporary staff to fill gaps due to recruitment headaches similar to those in Elgin.
He added: “It’s clear that the traditional hospital model of completely separate, independent services working on their own is not going to be fit for the future.
“Continuing to work with our fantastic staff and with the addition of new professionals across the organisation will help us future-proof and maintain a safe and sustainable service for patients in Moray.”
The new transformation board for Dr Gray’s is due to meet for the first time at the end of the month with the aim of creating stronger links with other NHS Grampian hospitals as well as in the Highlands.
A group of nurses is already undergoing training to form a new team in Elgin to work across departments and reduce the reliance on junior doctors.
Yesterday Pam Gowans, the NHS’ executive lead for Dr Gray’s, remained “optimistic” about a successful outcome for recruitment to the remodelled children’s service, which will only be for stays of up to 24 hours.
However, concerns remain to be addressed from anaesthetists while an external review is expected to be published later this month.
Mrs Gowans said: “Lessons have been learned from the staffing challenges we’ve faced over the last couple of years. We know we need to get on the front foot if we are avoid those difficulties in the future and, at their heart, that’s what these plans are about.”
