Moray MP Douglas Ross has urged NHS Grampian to be “fully transparent” after a sewage leak has reportedly destroyed hundreds of patient records at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin.
Douglas says the incident – thought to have been caused by a blocked pipe – is “deeply alarming” and his constituents who use the hospital will want to know “urgently” if their records are among those who have been destroyed.
He says he is “seriously concerned” that any patients records could ever be put in a position where they could be destroyed like this and says the health board must explain what “robust” measures will be put in place to avoid such an incident ever taking place again.
Douglas says that having to cope with such an incident is the last thing “overstretched” NHS staff at Dr Gray’s needed to be dealing with as they cope with a winter crisis and that alongside patients they will be worried that this could result in delays to crucial treatments.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “This incident at Dr Gray’s was deeply alarming to hear about and I am sure patients across Moray will share my concerns.
“Everyone in the area knows someone who has been a patient at the hospital in Elgin so they will be concerned that the records that have been destroyed beyond repair could be their own.
“That is why it is imperative for NHS Grampian to be fully transparent about this incident and the circumstances behind it. I am seriously concerned that any patients records could ever be put in a position where if something like this occurred, they would be left in a irretrievable state.
“They must urgently outline what robust measures will be – or better still – already have been put in place to make sure every effort has been taken to avoid any more records being destroyed.
“This is the last thing our overstretched and dedicated staff needed as they tackle an NHS winter crisis. They – alongside worried patients in Moray – will be worried about the potential impact on treatments taking place.
“I will continue to press NHS Grampian for answers after this extremely regrettable incident and will ensure patients are kept updated every step of the way.”
