Health bosses have approved £1.7 million of improvement works to be carried out at Moray’s main hospital.
Significant improvements are set for Dr Gray’s in Elgin after an ambitious programme was approved.
At yesterday’s health board meeting in Aberdeen, NHS Grampian board members agreed on putting forward the investment which will revamps the maternity and rental units, and Ward 7 for elderly medicine.
It comes after the maternity unit was downgraded in July 2018 due to staffing concerns.
Plans include a new room which will feature a birthing pool and a labour bed with ensuite provision.
The renal unit will be reconfigured to provide a better environment for patients and the staff who work there.
Also, a combination of backlog maintenance and redecoration work is promised to “greatly improve the experience” of patients in Ward 7.
NHS Grampian chief executive Professor Amanda Croft said: “I am delighted the board has approved these plans for Dr Gray’s, which underline our commitment to the hospital and providing care to Moray residents as close to home as possible.
“This work will not only deal with key maintenance issues but also make these facilities more patient friendly and improve the working environment for staff.”
During the meeting, Garry Kidd, NHS Grampian’s assistant director of finance, said the planned work will “bring it up to the standards of Inverurie and Peterhead” and called it a “positive proposal”.
He mentioned the works will need to be carried out when the theatres are closed.
Board member and Moray resident Jonathan Passmore said: “We have to commend the maternity services in Dr Gray’s on the time and effort. This is not a quick fix.
“I am scared that we are failing to articulate the future of Dr Gray’s and our commitment to that.”
Professor Croft added: “I reaffirm our commitment to Dr Gray’s. We will take on Jonathan’s challenge on how we articulate that.
“Without Dr Gray’s there are many patients that we could not see. We have heard of patients in Stonehaven that travel up on the weekend for surgeries.”
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead welcomed the move by health chiefs and said it is a “step forward” for the medical centre.
Mr Lochhead said: “This spending will improve facilities in a number of areas and services for patients and staff, and is another step forward for Dr Gray’s following the recent approval of the business case for an MRI scanner.
“Significant challenges do remain, however, and there is still lots more to do to around recruitment and urgent action is required to ensure that our local hospital is delivering optimal services for the local population.”
