Hansard

When Douglas Ross said that he was hoping to see “more and more”, I thought that he was going to say more of his children born there, which would have been a little insight into the future.

I am really pleased to be able to speak on this motion for two reasons. First, as an elected representative for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, I believe that the mums-to-be across my constituency clearly deserve safe and accessible maternity services. That applies to those in the western end of my constituency, which includes part of Moray. That is why I have publicly welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to restoring consultant-led maternity services at Dr Gray’s in Elgin. What is more, I have met local campaign groups and the health board to get a better understanding of what it will take to achieve that goal.

Secondly, as a mum with six children, I am speaking from direct experience when it comes to the importance of maternity services. I know the sense of security that they provide, and although they do not take away all the anxieties about giving birth—as any mother will appreciate—the knowledge that there is medical expertise on hand is always a comfort. More than that, such expertise is essential in times of emergency.

I have experience of having to travel long distances from a rural location into the city of Aberdeen. People who are watching might know that, if someone’s waters break and there is meconium in there, it is quite a dangerous situation and they need medical assistance instantly. I have had that experience, so I am coming from a place of empathy in that regard.

If we all want decent maternity services at Dr Gray’s for the benefit of mums-to-be in Moray, how do we reach that goal? We do so by being realistic about the availability of staff, having properly considered planning and taking on board the views of local people. We also need to do it with timescales that make sense—we should not rush in because of political expediency.

If we go back to 2018, when the provision of maternity services changed, one of the big reasons that were given was workforce availability. That was before I become an MSP, but it certainly rings true given my experience since I was elected last year.

Time after time, across Banffshire and Buchan Coast, in health, social care and other sectors, such as education, as Douglas Ross mentioned, I hear stories about problems with recruitment. In general terms, the vacancies can be there but it is hard to attract qualified professionals to come and work in north Aberdeenshire and Moray. It is a problem across much of rural Scotland.

That is subject to on-going work by private companies and public bodies. I do not underestimate what they try to do within their sectors, not least within Grampian and Highland health boards with regard to maternity services. I am glad that that work is happening and I am certainly willing to collaborate with anyone who is looking to solve the problem. I am glad to hear that Mr Ross brought it up in Westminster and I ask him please to push on the subject of freedom of movement for qualified professionals; perhaps near neighbours in Europe, for example would be appreciated.

Moving on to the detail of the planning around maternity services in Elgin, I have sought assurances around the model 4 plans, which could deliver a networked community and maternity unit as part of the journey to model 6. I know that the Scottish Government has asked for further work to be done before it goes ahead and approves anything, and I have asked the Scottish Government to make the lived experience of women and families in Moray central to decision making on the issue.

I commend NHS Grampian on its development of the model 6 plans, under which it will deliver full consultant-led maternity services once again, it hopes by the end of 2026. I would, however, echo my colleague Richard Lochhead, who represents Moray, and say that NHS Grampian should approach that with a can-do attitude and a commitment to delivery—excuse the pun. From the top, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care has given his cast-iron commitment to those services and we all need to be a part of meeting that commitment, whether we are elected representatives from either side of the chamber or healthcare professionals.

Full maternity services will come back to Elgin and that will benefit women and families in the local area including the part in my constituency. However, they must return in a way that is person centred, sustainable and professionally planned. Only two days ago, I received an email from the campaign group Keep MUM, which has been absolutely incredible. It said:

“There must be a dynamic project management team in place with strict external oversight to make sure that milestones are met.”

I see nothing to disagree with there.