Fresh Future Envisaged for Dr Gray’s Hospital

Published: 31/01/2023 14:33

Improving local patient care and cementing the strategic future of Dr Gray’s Hospital will be among key considerations by the NHS Grampian Board when it meets on 2nd February.

Included in Board papers published today, is a clear strategy for the hospital’s long-term future, which sets out how vital local services and specialist care can be delivered sustainably as a centre of excellence for remote and rural healthcare.

With patient care and workforce development at its heart, the plans place Dr Gray’s at the core of a wider model of delivery, as well as being fundamental to meeting local needs for unscheduled and urgent healthcare.

Under the plans being considered by the NHS Grampian Board, Dr Gray’s would remain anchored in the local community, with increased direct access to a range of important services. Patients would benefit from access to a wider range of clinical support, which in turn affords greater opportunities for staff training and ensures Dr Gray's can attract talent to live and work in Moray.

Commenting on the proposal, Adam Coldwells. Director of Strategy and Deputy Chief Executive at NHS Grampian said:

“We have developed a bold and ambitious vision for Dr Gray’s, which recognises its importance to the local community and puts patient care at its heart, but crucially also unlocks its potential as a centre of excellence for education.

“We believe that we can deliver pioneering new models of care, while also serving the distinctive health needs of the Moray area. This approach would embed new technology and ways of working to create a fresh future for all at Dr Gray’s.”

Simon Bokor-Ingram, Chief Officer for Moray, added:

“Engagement with Moray residents, staff and partner organisations has been at the heart of our approach to developing the strategic intent for Dr Gray’s Hospital. From this extensive feedback, we have been able to develop a plan which ensures that local health needs are being met, and which will also attract the skilled staff needed to the area.

“Local staff have helped us design these plans from the outset and we are very grateful for their input. Our proposals offer staff greater opportunities to work across multiple sites as part of a new clinical model, which will provide greater scope for both learning and practice.”