Chronic pain sufferers in Moray were dealt a blow yesterday with confirmation that a long-awaited specialist service will be delayed.
Patients have been forced to make a 130-mile round trip to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary since Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin lost its pain clinic in 2011.
In March, NHS Grampian chief executive Malcolm Wright and chairman Professor Stephen Logan announced that a specialist consultant would be based at Dr Gray’s permanently by the end of this year.
However, the health board revealed yesterday that recruitment issues have meant that the service is unlikely to be reinstated before February.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said he was disappointed that the pledge he had been given at talks with the chief executive and chairman in March would not be fulfilled.
He said: “At that meeting, NHS Grampian committed to re-instating a pain clinic in Elgin and in their letter which followed the meeting, the chief executive stated, ‘There is a plan to restore the clinic at Dr Gray’s Hospital from December 2015 on the proviso of successful recruitment to a consultant post in August, which we are confident will happen.’
“I am therefore disappointed to learn that this has now slipped until February and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss the matter further with the chief executive.”
Forres resident Chris Bridgeford, who suffers from a complex neuropathic pain syndrome, accused NHS Grampian of “moving the goalposts”.
Mr Bridgeford formed a chronic pain support group, called Affa Sair, in May.
He has invited Mr Wright to attend a meeting with members to discuss Moray’s pain provision, and has asked Mr Lochhead to chair it.
The Moray MSP added: “The chief executive has agreed to attend a meeting with Affa Sair, and I am currently awaiting dates.
“I can’t begin to imagine what the daily lives are like for patients suffering from chronic pain and that’s why we need this service restored as soon as possible and interim solutions identified whilst we await the new service.
” I will be taking the opportunity to raise these points at the meeting ”
An NHS spokeswoman said: “February is the most likely starting time because of applicants’ timeframes and eligibility to start the position, however, it could still be earlier.”