All planned paediatric surgery at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin, Moray, has been paused after concerns were raised about the quality and safety of care. NHS Grampian had already paused emergency paediatric surgery at the hospital, with some exceptions, in June after concerns were identified. The health board has now extended the pause to planned paediatric surgical procedures as work to address issues raised by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) continues.
Health Board Apologises and Takes Action
NHS Grampian apologised to children and their families affected and said it is committed to offering them new dates for their procedures as soon as possible. Dr Hugh Farrow-Bishop, NHS Grampian medical director, said: "In June 2026, we identified concerns about the quality and safety of paediatric surgical care at Dr Gray's Hospital, which resulted in a pause of emergency paediatric surgery, with defined exceptions."
He added: "Earlier this year – in April – Healthcare Improvement Scotland carried out an unannounced inspection at Dr Gray's Hospital. Following this, we met with HIS to discuss their concerns about paediatric care at the hospital. In particular, HIS sought assurances around the number of available staff with appropriate advanced paediatric life support training."
Review of Staffing and Training
Dr Farrow-Bishop said: "In response to their concerns, we have reviewed all rotas and current procedures and made changes to ensure staff with the appropriate training are available on-site in the event of emergencies. We have also reviewed training records and are arranging for training to be renewed where required. This is taking place as a matter of urgency."
He continued: "While this is underway – and with the safety of patients being our top priority – we have further paused planned paediatric surgical procedures at Dr Gray's Hospital. The pause now comprises all planned, including elective dental and ear, nose, and throat procedures, and emergency surgery, with defined exceptions."
Dr Farrow-Bishop said after the review and renewal of required training, the health board, alongside HIS, will determine the profile of paediatric surgery that can safely be delivered at the site. It expects the process to be completed by the end of the year.
Outpatient Care Unaffected and Political Reaction
Outpatient paediatric care is not affected, and the health board said families should continue to attend those appointments as usual. Dr Farrow-Bishop said: "In an emergency situation, parents or carers should continue to bring children to the emergency department. More generally, all other inpatient and outpatient care continues at Dr Gray's Hospital as before."
Laura Mitchell, the SNP MSP for Moray, said: "I'm deeply concerned by the safety and training issues in paediatrics that have been identified at the recent inspection at Dr Gray's Hospital. Of course, the safety of children in Moray and across Grampian is paramount, so I understand NHS Grampian must take urgent action to ensure our service in Elgin is safe and delivering a high quality of care for patients."
An HIS spokesperson said: "Concerns were identified about paediatric surgery at Dr Gray's Hospital. NHS Grampian has taken steps to address the concerns, and we continue to engage with them in the interests of patient safety." Highlands and Islands Scottish Conservative MSP Tim Eagle said he is seeking "urgent answers" from both NHS Grampian and the Scottish Government. He said: "I am absolutely furious about this latest development at Dr Gray's. This shocking situation stems from years of mismanagement by both NHS Grampian and the Scottish Government."
Scotland's Health Secretary, Angela Constance, said: "I am concerned about these changes and I am making clear to NHS Grampian my expectation that these services be resumed as soon as possible. However, patient safety must always come first and whilst NHS Grampian carries out its review of paediatric surgery at Dr Gray's Hospital, I expect the Board to liaise with any affected patients and their families." She added: "I will be meeting the management team of Dr Gray's in Elgin next week to discuss this further."
