Planned C-sections to resume at Moray hospital

Planned Caesarean sections are to resume at a Moray hospital, almost seven years after they were stopped.

Services at Dr Gray's were downgraded in 2018 due to staff shortages, forcing most expectant mothers in the area to travel to Aberdeen for births.

NHS Grampian said the first C-sections could take place in the next few weeks after more staff were recruited to the Elgin hospital's maternity teams.

The health board's chiefs said it marked a "big step" towards the return of full services for pregnant women.

NHS Grampian said the reinstatement of planned C-sections was also made possible through collaborative work with NHS Highland maternity staff based in Inverness.

Women who meet the criteria for the procedure will be able to explore this option with their midwife, said NHS Grampian.

Jane Gill, programme director for the NHS Grampian and NHS Highland Maternity Collaborative, said: "The team is working with local families to identify suitable dates, ensuring personalised support for each birth.

"For those requiring more complex care, Aberdeen will remain the recommended option, as has always been the case."

She said work was ongoing to gradually reintroduce a consultant-led maternity service at Dr Gray's by the end of 2026.

Acting hospital general manager Louise Pearson said it was "incredibly exciting" to be supporting this next stage.

Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead has welcomed the developments.

Last week, a service providing overnight of children was restored at Dr Gray's.

NHS Grampian said the service had been reinstated following a successful campaign encouraging people to move to the region.

The children's ward had been downgraded due to staffing pressures, meaning patients had to travel to Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital (RACH) for care overnight.