New consultant obstetrician at Dr Gray’s has dual role at Raigmore

NHS Grampian has appointed a new consultant obstetrician to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin on a part-time basis, with one day per week dedicated to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness with NHS Highland.

Dr Mandy Hunter took up post in the dual role in April and is playing an integral role in the Maternity Collaborative which will see a full, sustainable obstetric service delivered at Dr Gray’s by the end of 2026.

With more than 13 years’ experience as a consultant, Dr Hunter has special interests in medical education and training, labour and intrapartum care, unplanned pregnancy and early pregnancy care.

She said: “I’m keen to establish a robust local service for women having babies or who need to see a gynaecologist. I would also like to develop the medical, nursing and midwifery staff training opportunities and experience in Elgin.”

Dr Hunter, who gave birth to one of her own children at Dr Gray’s, is originally from Grangemouth. She studied in Aberdeen and has spent her career working across the Highlands and Islands as well as in Moray. She previously worked at Dr Gray’s from 2011 to 2015 and says she has made a lot of good friends in Elgin.

Mandy explained: “I feel lucky in Elgin there are some really beautiful, scenic places nearby. My now teenage sons have very fond memories of Scribbles on the High St for macaroni cheese and a coke float as a treat when they were younger. We love being back here.”

Dr Hunter has been involved in service discussions from an NHS Education Scotland (NES) training perspective over the last few years about redeveloping services at Dr Gray's.

She added: “I’m still doing one day a week at Raigmore supporting elective caesarean sections and daytime on calls, to keep those skills current until we can use them here in Dr Gray's. It’s a good mix and I’m pleased to be working with both excellent teams. Pregnancy and birth is such a major event for women and their families that it feels a real privilege to look after them. Gynaecology is much less spoken about but just as important over the course of women's lives.”

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