Moray SNP News

MSP TO MEET WITH NHS GRAMPIAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE

UPDATE ON EYE CLINICS SOUGHT

Moray’s MSP, Richard Lochhead, will meet with the Chief Executive of NHS Grampian in Elgin on Monday to discuss local health services and the MSP says eye clinics at Dr Gray’s will be top of the agenda. 

After being contacted by a number of constituents who have been forced to travel to Aberdeen for an appointment with an ophthalmic consultant, Mr Lochhead raised the issue with the health board.  Malcolm Wright offered assurances that NHS Grampian were working hard to recruit a consultant and in a recent letter to the Moray’s MSP stated that he was confident a consultant would be appointed in the near future meaning clinics would be available again at Dr Gray’s.

When they meet on Monday, Mr Lochhead will press the Chief Executive for clearer details of a timescale by which patients can expect to be able to attend eye clinics at Dr Gray’s again. 

Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“For some months now patients in Moray have been having to travel to Aberdeen for eye clinic appointments, which I know has been very challenging for many of my constituents.  I’m aware that the lack of a consultant in Elgin has caused real problems for some elderly patients who have found the long journey very difficult.  The recent assurances offered by the Chief Executive of NHS Grampian that an eye clinic will return to Dr Gray’s are very welcome but I know that patients are looking for more clarity about the health board’s plans.

“Whilst I do appreciate that the challenge with the provision at Dr Gray’s is often the difficulty in recruiting staff to key posts, I will be pressing him for details as to how soon we can expect to see eye clinics reinstated locally. 

“The delivery of local NHS services is something that is very important to me and I know that people across Moray greatly value Dr Gray’s and want to see it used to its maximum capacity.  I’m looking forward to meeting the Chief Executive to get an update on the clinics and services provided locally.”