Work continues on plans to deliver enhanced health services in Moray

The NHS Grampian and Health and Social Care Moray teams working together to support the delivery of an MRI facility and full refurbishment of the mental health ward at Dr Gray’s Hospital are continuing with the detailed preparation needed to make construction possible. The aim is to move mental health patients and staff to a Moray-based facility while the build is underway.

Colleagues from the mental health team, primary care, local third sector representatives and people with lived experience have looked in depth at how best to maintain safe mental health service provision during the building works. They have advised that continued access to inpatient beds locally is essential and finding a suitably accessible space is now a priority for the project team.

Work is also ongoing to make sure the proposed design of the new MRI and mental health spaces will meet national standards. This includes the mechanical, electrical and infection prevention compliance aspects. Architects, engineers, and project team members have visited the site to meet with clinical staff. For the mental health space, lessons learned from similar work at Royal Cornhill Hospital (RCH) will be included in the design. This work is recognised as an example of best practice across Scotland.

In terms of finding a suitable alternative space for the mental health team while building work is underway, the health board’s property and asset development team is working closely with the mental health clinical team to explore all options available locally. They have assessed several sites and more detailed work is ongoing before recommendations can be made to the project’s programme board.

Simon Bokor-Ingram, Chief Officer for Health and Social Care Moray explains: “There are several interlinked parts to this project, and it is important we take the time to ensure we will deliver the best clinical environments for both patients and staff, both in terms of temporary and longer-term solutions. We are looking forward to delivering significant investment in modern healthcare facilities which will make a significant difference to the lives of local people for many years to come.”

Dr Gray’s Hospital General Manager Alasdair Pattinson is chairing the project programme board which has oversight over the work. He adds: “Finding a Moray-based solution for staff and patients while the build is underway is likely to take longer than we had anticipated, as some of the options available to us will require investment to ensure they are suitable for mental health patients. We are working as quickly as we can, with expert eyes on the detail.

“It’s a real pleasure to be working alongside many forward-thinking, dedicated colleagues from across Grampian to make sure Moray health services are fit for the future.”

The MRI facility is a highly anticipated development for patients waiting for treatment in National Treatment Centres across Scotland, as well as radiology teams. The refurbishment of the mental health ward presents a significant opportunity to upgrade mental health services in Moray with an efficient, future-proofed clinical environment.

Ahead of construction work getting underway, a design and communications team will involve staff, partners, and members of the community in the design process for these new and upgraded facilities.

For more information about the project or to highlight an interest in participating in future engagement opportunities, email gram.dghMRIw4@nhs.scot

Further details about the MRI project are available.