Patients in Moray - and beyond - are set to see significant improvements at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin, following board approval of an ambitious programme of works.

 

Investment will be targeted towards the maternity and renal units, and Ward 7 at the hospital, which marked its 200th anniversary last year.

 

NHS Grampian Chief Executive Professor Amanda Croft said: "I am delighted the board has approved these plans for Dr Gray's, which underline our commitment to the hospital and providing care to Moray residents as close to home as possible.

 

"This work will not only deal with key maintenance issues but also make these facilities more patient friendly and improve the working environment for staff."

 

Included in this plan is a new birthing room which will feature a pool and a labour bed with ensuite provision. This will replace the current facilities which are in significant need of modernisation. The renal unit will be reconfigured to provide a better environment for patients and the staff who work there. Finally, a combination of backlog maintenance and redecoration work will greatly improve the experience of patients on Ward 7.

 

Professor Croft added: "The detailed proposals for this work laid before the board today were impressive. It is clear staff have been involved from an early stage and able to give the benefit of their experience working in these areas."

 

Rhona Atkinson, vice-chair of NHS Grampian, said: "The improvement in the fabric of these facilities and the difference this will make to patients in Moray is to be welcomed. This investment is significant and a clear sign of how much we value Dr Gray's Hospital."

 

More information on the improvement works can be found in the infrastructure paper presented to the NHS Grampian board. Start dates for the three projects will be announced in due course.