Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD TO MEET WITH NHS GRAMPIAN CHIEF

Tomorrow morning, Wednesday, 6th July, Moray MSP, Richard Lochhead, will meet with the Chief Executive of NHS Grampian at Dr Gray’s to discuss a range of issues relating to local halth services as well as specific points raised by constituents.

Ahead of the meeting Mr Lochhead said:

“One important issue I intend to raise tomorrow relates to emergency ambulance cover.   While many points are for the Scottish Ambulance Service to answer which I will raise with the Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service when we meet next week there are aspects of emergency ambulance cover that are influenced by policy at Dr Grays’s.  An example of this is that ambulance staff cannot handover patients at Dr Gray’s until they have been received by a medical professional at the hospital. While the paramedics are waiting at Dr Gray’s they are not available to respond to emergency calls and it is therefore crucial that such handovers are swift and efficient.

“Furthermore, I gather that vital emergency ambulance resources are being used for transporting patients to other hospitals especially on the three to four hour round trip to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary despite the transfers not being urgent or requiring the medical assistance of ambulance crew.  It's important that precious resources are used appropriately and I want to know if it is indeed the case that there are times when accident and emergency vehicles and their crews are being used as a taxi service. This seems a very inefficient use of resources which can leave ambulance cover in Moray badly lacking.  I intend to urge the Chief Executive to take any steps he can to resolve these matters.”