Call for concerns into maternity care at Moray hospital trust to be addressed quickly

The Royal College of Midwives in Scotland has said concerns of a risk to patient safety at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin must be tackled “quickly and effectively”.

An externally led review into maternity services at the hospital has described clinical governance as “not fully functional” and “dysfunctional and damaged” working relationships.

NHS Grampian said it wanted a “safe and sustainable” system, and the RCM in Scotland stressed that it was “imperative” issues were addressed.

Maternity services at the hospital were downgraded in July 2018, resulting in some women being referred to other hospitals to give birth.

The review was commissioned following fears raised over patient safety and recommended NHS Grampian undertakes a “full and detailed review of clinical cases to assure themselves of the historical outcomes for individual patients” within the hospital’s maternity service.

The trust has said it accepted the report’s recommendations.

Mary Ross-Davie, director of the RCM Scotland, said “It is clear from the review that there have been significant cultural and professional problems within the hospital which have unacceptably put women and babies at risk.

“It is imperative that the work already begun by NHS Grampian to address these problems is progressed quickly and effectively.

“Women and families in Moray deserve the highest quality maternity care.”

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