Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care

D&G Health & Social Care

Changes at top of region’s health and social care system

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New Integration Joint Board members named

A CHALLENGING period lies ahead for the corporate body responsible for the strategic planning of health and social care across the whole of Dumfries and Galloway.

A new-look Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB) has now assembled amid great financial challenges and serious pressures on systems – and it is led by a new Chair in the form of Andy McFarlane.

Andy said: “I am delighted to take on this role and hope to make a positive impact. 

“I would firstly like to record my thanks to the former chair Laura Douglas for her contribution and passion for service integration and the difference that can be made by working in partnership.

“I look forward to building on the achievements of the Board and those working across vital services to make positive change happen.

“We continue to face significant challenges in health and social care not only in Dumfries and Galloway but across Scotland and change will take time and there is so much still to do, to deliver the level and quality of provision that this region deserves.”

Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB) is responsible for the planning and commissioning of the vast majority of health and all adult social care services within the region.

Its directions are implemented by Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership (DGHSCP) which is a separate corporate body featuring the NHS and local authority as statutory partners, working together with the third and independent sectors.

Acknowledging the very significant challenges currently facing health and social care, and the work continually taking place to improve provision and meet local need, Andy said: “It is crucial that we all work together to involve the public and staff through meaningful engagement, in particular in relation to the Right Care Right Place: Bed-Based Intermediate Care consultation and the review of maternity services in Wigtownshire.

“As the new chair of the IJB, my aim to support the delivery of safe and deliverable health and social care models of care for the communities that we serve, that are fit for future generations.”

Mr McFarlane previously served as senior police officer in England before moving to Dumfries and Galloway with his wife in 2006.

As an elected member with Dumfries and Galloway Council, he serves as a councillor for Ward 3 Dee and Glenkens.

Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership Chief Officer Julie White said: “I welcome Andy as Chair of the Integration Joint Board. 

“At the same time as Andy’s appointment there are a number of new additions to the IJB, who are set to bring their experience, knowledge and perspectives to help take forward this work.

“I look forward to working with the new Board, addressing the challenges faced by health and social care.”

Several new additions are among the voting members on Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board, with a voting membership comprising of Greg Black, Ian Carruthers, Kim Dams (Vice Chair), Rhianna Davies-McCrorie, Gwilym Gibbons, Chrissie Hill, Vicky Keir, Denis Male, Andy McFarlane and Paula Stevenson. Substitutes for voting members are Karen Carruthers, Bill Irving, Andy Ferguson, Gail MacGregor, David Slater and Carolyne Wilson.

Click here to learn about Right Care, Right Place - our consultation about bed based intermediate care

Consultation underway on bed-based intermediate care

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Consultation on bed-based intermediate care within Dumfries and Galloway is now underway, running from April 14 to July 7.

Upcoming drop-in consultation events Lockerbie Town Hall tomorrow, April 21, from 3pm to 7pm.

The consultation will be focused on how to best deliver, as close to local communities as possible, the help people receive between an acute hospital setting and what they are able to manage at home, either independently or with support. 

Details on all in-person drop-in events along with online consultation documents for completion can be found at the website www.dghscp.co.uk/rcrp-consultation

Intermediate care consultation

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Consultation to focus on local bed-based care

A STRONG desire to see bed-based intermediate care delivered in the heart of local communities emerged from a major piece of public engagement. 

Building on the feedback received, a period of formal consultation is now set to be launched by Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership – focused on how to best deliver, as close to local communities as possible, the help people receive between an acute hospital setting and what they are able to manage at home, either independently or with support. 

Key to this is a proposed flexible approach to bed-based intermediate care. This could see a proportion of bed capacity within settings reallocated to different roles, such as palliative or ‘step-down’ care – helping to meet a variety of need in the heart of local communities. 

Introducing the consultation which will run from April 14 until July 7, Director of Strategic Planning and Transformation David Rowland said: “We had a fantastic response to our Right Place, Right Care: Intermediate Care engagement, with people right across the region coming forward to share their thoughts and experiences. 

“Bed-based intermediate care takes in everything from care homes to cottage hospitals, extra care housing and short breaks providing respite, and recognises the importance of care and support at home.  

“We need to develop approaches aimed at best meeting the healthcare needs of the local population where these cannot be met at home but do not require the services of a district general hospital. 

“It’s an area set to play an important role within our region over coming years, and so it has been very important to get people’s input to help inform and shape our approaches.” 

Key outcomes from this work is –  

  • Initial modelling which sets out the capacity believed to be needed in each location in years to come. 
  • Proposed discussion around facilities which either currently play a role or which could in the future. 
  • The proposal of a flexible approach to the use of beds.  

Mr Rowland clarifies that, within the flexible approach, each bed would continue to have a set use. 

However, the beds within any facility might not all serve the same purpose – with different ongoing roles for different beds, informed by local need. 

Mr Rowland said: “What we are talking about is using the total capacity more flexibly. With care homes, for example, it’s the idea that – as beds become available or extra beds are added by care home owners – a small number could be allocated for palliative care, step up or step down care, but while ensuring residential need is being properly met. 

“We are preparing to take these proposals for public consultation, along with the modelling we will be basing our planning around. We have also identified facilities which either currently contribute to the intermediate care bed-base right now or which could over coming years, and which we want to discuss with the local communities. 

“It’s very important that everyone is aware of the public consultation taking place from April 14 2023 until July 7 2023, and that they are encouraged and supported to have their say.” 

Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership Chief Officer Julie White has also voiced the call for everyone to participate in the consultation, and to help promote the opportunity to others. 

Ms White said: “The contribution everyone has made to the development of this work through the engagement activity has been invaluable. 

“It’s vitally important that everyone now has the opportunity to review and understand what has emerged from this work, and has the opportunity to provide their response. 

“A core principle of Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership is to deliver services right into the heart of communities, and so it was heartening that this was reflected very prominently in what people were saying. 

“I’d encourage everyone to note how they can participate in the consultation process, to take part, and to help others to do the same.” 

A calendar of in-person engagement events has been scheduled between 21 April 2023 and 7 July 2023, and this is set out as follows: 

21 April at 3.00pm to 7.00pm – Lockerbie Town Hall  

24 April at 3.00pm to 7.00pm – Virtual  

27 April at 3.00pm to 7.00pm – Castle Douglas Town Hall  

03 May at 12 pm to 2 pm – St Ninian’s Centre, Isle of Whithorn 

03 May at 3 pm – 6 pm – Whithorn, venue TBC 

05 May at 3.00pm to 7.00pm – The Usual Place, Dumfries  

16 May at 3.00pm to 7.00pm – Moffat Town Hall  

22 May at 1.30pm to 5.30pm – Thornhill Community Centre  

24 May at 3.00pm to 7.00pm – Buccleuch Centre, Langholm  

29 May at 3.00pm to 7.00pm – Parish Church, Kirkcudbright  

01 June at 3.00pm to 7.00pm – Richard Greenhow Centre, Gretna  

06 June at 3.00pm to 7.00pm – McMillan Hall, Newton Stewart  

09 June at 3.00pm to 7.00pm – Dalbeattie Town Hall  

12 June at 3.00pm to 7.00pm – Corner House Hotel, Annan  

22 June at 3.00pm to 7.00pm – Sanquhar Community Centre  

03 July at 3.00pm to 7.00pm – Stranraer Millennium Centre 

Anyone who requires assistance to attend or who wishes to attend the virtual meeting on 24 April is asked to email dg.spcp@nhs.scot 

Information on events is hosted on a dedicated web-page, which will also host all the consultation materials and the consultation document itself. 

The web-page is www.dghscp.co.uk/rcrp-consultation 

The consultation document can be completed online, can be completed in person at any of the events, or taken away and returned by July 7 2023 by emailing to dgcommunications@nhs.scot or by post to Communications Team, DGRI, A75, Cargenbridge, DG2 8RX. 

Partnership calls for questions on a challenging year 

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Annual Review Postponed
Unfortunately we have been made aware of a technical issue that has resulted in any questions submitted prior to 23 January 2023 not arriving in our mailbox.
The IJB has decided to postpone the Annual Review to enable people to submit their questions.
If you submitted a question prior to 23 January 2023, please resubmit your question.
We will be recording the answers at a later date.
Thank you for your patience.
 

DUMFRIES and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership senior managers are ready to take questions on its performance in 2021-2022, following the publication of its latest Annual Review.  

The Review, covering the year from April 2021 to March 2022, praises health and social care staff for their work fighting the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic – and highlights many pressures which continue to this day. Senior management will discuss the review and answer questions in an online meeting later this month. Questions can be sent in by visiting http://dghscp.co.uk/performance-and-data/annual-review/ 

David Rowland is the Director of Strategic Planning and Transformation for the HSCP, and he says: “The Annual Review is how the Partnership is held to account. The Scottish government has set nine health and wellbeing objectives for every region in the country, and we have to hold ourselves to them and report how well we are doing.  

“2021-2022 has been a very tough year for Dumfries and Galloway, and health and social care have been under unprecedented pressure – pressure that continues to this day. The Review recognises areas where we have done well, and areas where we have not yet met our ambitions and aspirations. It also talks about the change and innovation that has happened over the year, a lot of it driven by the pandemic, and how that has improved services for people in the region. 

“The Partnership is accountable to the people of Dumfries and Galloway. Anyone can ask senior management a question about the Partnership’s performance at the meeting this month, and get an answer in public.” 

A panel of senior managers from Dumfries and Galloway Council and NHS Dumfries and Galloway, including Partnership Chief Officer Julie White, DGC Chief Social Work Officer Lillian Cringles, Partnership Chief Finance Officer Katy Kerr, Integration Joint Board Chair Laura Douglas, and IJB Vice-Chair Andy McFarlane will discuss the review’s findings in an online meeting on 25th January.  

All questions are welcome – anyone in the region, including Partnership staff, can send in a question for the panel by visiting http://dghscp.co.uk/performance-and-data/annual-review/ A video and transcript of the meeting will be published shortly after the meeting finishes.  

The Review is available now online at http://dghscp.co.uk/performance-and-data/annual-review/ and highlights some of the partnership’s achievements. Alcohol and drug treatments are promptly available, and most people say they are able to look after their own health – Dumfries and Galloway is significantly ahead of the Scottish average in both areas. The region also has some of the most successful vaccination programmes in the UK, both for COVID-19 and for other diseases. 

However, rising demand for health and social care, together with staff shortages, put a heavy burden on the people working across the Partnership. Waiting lists have grown, and in some cases planned care and operations have been delayed.  

Support for unpaid Carers has been a priority with the opening of the new Carers Centre at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. The Partnership has also been working on making care more accessible and more efficient, through projects such as Home Teams for coordinating care delivered at home, Care Call to provide rapid assistance to vulnerable people at home, and the Single Access Point for reaching all health and social care services across the region. 

The Annual Performance Report is available at http://dghscp.co.uk/performance-and-data/annual-review/  An Easy Read version is also available for anyone who has difficulty reading.  

Unprecedented pressures

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Massive pressures faced by region's health and social care

UNPRECEDENTED pressures are being faced by the region’s health and social care system – in line with the rest of Scotland, and the UK as a whole.
Julie White is Chief Officer of Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, and she said: “The pressures are now greater than seen during the peak of the COVID pandemic.
“They are being driven by a combination of factors, including very high rates of flu and other respiratory illness currently circulating within communities – resulting in high numbers of vulnerable people requiring immediate medical care.
“The health and social care system is also supporting many older and vulnerable individuals who have multiple, complex needs that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
“We are having to make day by day decisions on our capacity to deliver planned surgery. This is distressing for patients who receive late notice cancellation but reflects the prioritisation of those with the most immediate and pressing need.
“Similarly, we are exploring options to facilitate the accelerated discharge of patients. Currently, a very significant proportion of hospital staff are supporting patients who no longer have a need for further medical treatment or rehabilitation.
“It is essential that we do everything we can to return these individuals home or to a homely setting in order that we are able to provide the support to those most unwell patients – where immediate help can potentially be life-saving.
“We are appreciative of all support in this, particularly from all families and the thousands of Carers who already contribute so much to the sustainability of health and social care delivery.
“If you are able to think of ways in which you can support a loved one to get home from hospital now they have no further medical need to be there, please do get in touch with them and their clinicians.
“At this very challenging time, our priority has to be to minimise the risk of harm to individuals.
“Today, well over 100 people are in hospital beds whose needs could be better met at home or in a homely setting, important operations are being cancelled and our Emergency Departments are under significant strain. Our GP practices, mental health teams and community-based health and social care teams are also experiencing unprecedented demands.
“To be clear, the primary consideration here is not facilities or equipment, but having the necessary volumes of staffing who have the skill and capacity to provide treatment and care to those in most urgent need.
“At this time, difficult decisions will need to be taken to ensure our staff can help meet the most urgent need and to ensure that our hospital has the capacity to deal with the next emergency attendance.
“We will keep you informed of this position and the difficult decisions which need to be taken to deal with this unprecedented level of pressure. It is likely that these pressures will persist in line with the traditional flu season and we are unlikely to see significant improvement for some weeks.”

Drop in for COVID-19 and flu vaccinations before Christmas

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THE DUMFRIES and Galloway winter flu and COVID effort has reached thousands of people in the region already – and anyone eligible for a vaccine can get one before Christmas without an appointment.

Drop-in vaccination clinics are open now across Dumfries and Galloway (times and places are below) to anyone eligible for a free vaccine because they are over 50, at risk due to a medical condition, a registered carer, or a health or social care worker.

Those turning up at a drop-in clinic may have to queue if the clinic is busy, and should dress warmly.

Public health consultant Dr Nigel Calvert says: “We have had great success with the winter flu vaccination and COVID-19 booster programmes so far, but there are still some people in the region who have not yet had the vaccines they’re entitled to.

“The vaccination programme has only a few weeks more to run, and we are hoping that the drop-in clinics will allow many more people to protect themselves now that winter is almost here.

“Flu and COVID-19 can be serious, especially for older people and those with other health conditions, and it’s best to prepare before the holidays. Even if you aren’t worried about the health risks to yourself, if you catch flu or COVID-19 you could pass it on to a relative or friend who is more at risk, and they could become seriously ill.

“So if you drop in to one of the clinics soon for your jags, you’ll have the best possible protection against flu and COVID-19 in time for Christmas.”

Times and places of drop-in clinics

Monday 12th December
Castle Douglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09:15-16:00
Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00
Annan Vaccine Centre 09:15-16:00
Tuesday 13th December
Waverley Medical Centre 09:15-16:00
Kirkcudbright Hospital 09:15-15:00
Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00
Thornhill Rehab Suite 09:15-15:00
Moffat Hospital 09:15-15:00
Wednesday 14th December
Newton Stewart Hospital 09:15-15:00
Castle Douglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09:15-16:00
Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00
Lockerbie Medical Centre 09:15-15:00
Thursday 15th December
Waverley Medical Centre 09:15-16:00
Kirkcudbright Hospital 09:15-15:00
Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00
Annan Vaccine Centre 09:15-16:00
Friday 16th December
Newton Stewart Hospital 09:15-15:00
Castle Douglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09:15-16:00
Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00
Annan Vaccine Centre 09:15-16:00
Monday 19th December
Waverley Medical Centre 09:15-16:00
Castle Douglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09:15-16:00
Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00
Annan Vaccine Centre 09:15-16:00
Tuesday 20th December
Waverley Medical Centre 09:15-16:00
Kirkcudbright Hospital 09:15-15:00
Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00
Moffat Hospital 09:15-15:00
Wednesday 21st December
Newton Stewart Hospital 09:15-15:00
Castle Douglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09:15-16:00
Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00
Sanquhar Community Hall 09:15-15:00
Annan Vaccine Centre 09:15-16:00
Thursday 22nd December
Waverley Medical Centre 09:15-16:00
Kirkcudbright Hospital 09:15-15:00
Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00
Annan Vaccine Centre 09:15-16:00

Drop-in COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinics opening

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THE DUMFRIES and Galloway winter flu and COVID vaccination effort has reached thousands of people in the region already – and from Monday 5th December anyone eligible for a vaccine will be able to get one without an appointment.

Drop-in vaccination clinics open across Dumfries and Galloway from Monday 5th December, to anyone eligible for a free vaccine because they are over 50, at risk due to a medical condition, a registered carer, or a health or social care worker.

The national booking portal is still open at https://vacs.nhs.scot/csp, and people are encouraged to use it to book an appointment if they can. Those turning up at a drop-in clinic may have to queue if the clinic is busy, and should dress warmly.

Public health consultant Dr Nigel Calvert says: “We have had great success with the winter flu vaccination and COVID-19 booster programmes so far, but there are still some people in the region who have not yet had the vaccines they’re entitled to.

“The vaccination programme has only a few weeks more to run, and we are hoping that the drop-in clinics will allow many more people to protect themselves now that winter is almost here.

“Flu and COVID-19 can be serious, especially for older people or those with other health conditions, and it’s best to prepare before the holidays. Even if you aren’t worried about the health risks to yourself, if you catch flu or COVID-19 you could pass it on to a relative or friend who is more at risk, and they could become seriously ill.

“So if you drop in to one of the clinics next week for your jags, you’ll have the best possible protection against flu and COVID-19 in time for Christmas.”

Times and places of drop-in clinics

Monday 5th December

Waverley Medical Centre 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Castle Douglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Annan Vaccine Centre 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Canonbie Village Hall 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30

Tuesday 6th December

Waverley Medical Centre 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Kirkcudbright Hospital 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Thornhill Rehab Suite 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30

Moffat Hospital 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30

Wednesday 7th December

Newton Stewart Hospital 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30

Castle Douglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Thursday 8th December

Waverley Medical Centre 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Kirkcudbright Hospital 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Thornhill Rehab Suite 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30

Annan Vaccine Centre 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Friday 9th December

Newton Stewart Hospital* 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30

Castle Douglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Langholm county car park 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.00

Saturday 10th December

Waverley Medical Centre 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Castle Douglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Langholm county car park 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.00

Sunday 11th December

Newton Stewart Hospital 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30

Kirkcudbright Hospital 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Sanquhar Community Hall 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30

Annan Vaccine Centre 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30

Friday 9th December 

Newton Stewart Hospital 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30 

Castle Douglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30 

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30 

Langholm county car park 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.00 

Saturday 10th December 

Waverley Medical Centre 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30 

Castle Douglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30 

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30 

Langholm county car park 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.00 

Sunday 11th December 

Newton Stewart Hospital 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30 

Kirkcudbright Hospital 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30 

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30 

Sanquhar Community Hall 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30 

Annan Vaccine Centre 09.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30 

Monday 12th December 

Castle Douglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09:15-16:00 

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00 

Annan Vaccine Centre 09:15-16:00 

Tuesday 13th December 

Waverley Medical Centre 09:15-16:00 

Kirkcudbright Hospital 09:15-15:00 

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00 

Thornhill Rehab Suite 09:15-15:00 

Moffat Hospital 09:15-15:00 

Wednesday 14th December 

Newton Stewart Hospital 09:15-15:00 

Castle Douglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09:15-16:00 

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00 

Lockerbie Medical Centre 09:15-15:00 

Thursday 15th December 

Waverley Medical Centre 09:15-16:00 

Kirkcudbright Hospital 09:15-15:00 

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00 

Annan Vaccine Centre 09:15-16:00 

Friday 16th December 

Newton Stewart Hospital 09:15-15:00 

Castle Douglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09:15-16:00 

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00 

Annan Vaccine Centre 09:15-16:00 

Monday 19th December 

Waverley Medical Centre 09:15-16:00 

Castle Douglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09:15-16:00 

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00 

Annan Vaccine Centre 09:15-16:00 

Tuesday 20th December 

Waverley Medical Centre 09:15-16:00 

Kirkcudbright Hospital 09:15-15:00 

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00 

Moffat Hospital 09:15-15:00 

Wednesday 21st December 

Newton Stewart Hospital 09:15-15:00 

Castle Doglas Hospital Outpatients Dept 09:15-16:00 

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00 

Sanquhar Community Hall 09:15-15:00 

Annan Vaccine Centre 09:15-16:00 

Thursday 22nd December 

Waverley Medical Centre 09:15-16:00 

Kirkcudbright Hospital 09:15-15:00 

Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall 09:15-16:00 

Annan Vaccine Centre 09:15-16:00 

Region’s mental health youth forum in running for top award

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A GROUP of young people in the region aged 11 to 25 are in the running for a top award in recognition for their work around speaking out on mental health issues.

The Child Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Youth Forum are volunteers from across Dumfries and Galloway who are either currently accessing services or have in the past.

And on November 24, they will be attending the Dumfries and Galloway Youth Awards at Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries as finalists in the Health and Wellbeing category.

Alison Telfer is CAMHS Participation Lead, and she said: “We are delighted for our CAMHS Youth Forum that they have been recognised for all of their excellent work and are finalists within the Dumfries and Galloway Youth Awards.

“Our forum members play an extremely important role in informing and shaping our approaches to delivery of services, as well as raising wider awareness around mental health issues affecting young people.”

The CAMHS Youth Forum was established online by NHS Dumfries and Galloway during COVID lockdown, and the young volunteers are all passionate about sharing their lived experiences with others, challenging attitudes and behaviours associated with mental health, using creative, fun and innovative ways to do this.

Erin is a member of the CAMHS Youth Forum, and she said: “Being part of the forum is such an amazing opportunity for me and all the young people involved.

“I have been able to share my own personal experiences and feelings to try and help better the service. I have gained a lot of confidence through this forum and can now confidently talk to new people, meet new friends and have realised that other people are passionate about the same things I am.

It’s amazing that us young people are able to be involved and talk to professionals about what we feel needs improvement within CAMHS as although we are the future of the service, we are also the present and we know what our generation needs right now.

“It is brilliant that we, as a forum, can help promote how important looking after our mental health is because in reality, everyone has mental health, some people just need more help with theirs and that’s totally okay! We need to show people that they are not alone and it is okay to reach out for help. We need to break the stigma.”

Rhianna is a member of the CAMHS Youth Forum, and she said: “This whole experience has been incredible, with so many more opportunities that we have been able to get involved in, speaking with policy makers, sharing our experiences within a national webinars, co-producing and designing resources and developing a new CAMHS website alongside health professionals.”

CAMHS are a specialist NHS community-based service throughout Dumfries and Galloway, which provides services for children and young people up to the age of 18 who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties.

CAMHS provide multi-disciplinary assessment, understanding and treatment for the difficulties that children, young people and families are experiencing.

If you would like to speak with a mental health professional or make a referral into CAMHS either contact: (01387) 244662 or email; dg.camhs-mail@nhs.scot

Actions to help region’s health and social care through a challenging winter 

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A RANGE of actions by people can help support the region’s health and social care system – which is currently under massive pressure. 

Taking up free vaccinations against flu and COVID if you are eligible is step number one in reducing the numbers of people who will need help over the winter months. 

However, there is much more that can be done, from continued use of face coverings on NHS sites to offering flexibility and support around getting loved ones home from hospital. 

Nicole Hamlet is Deputy Chief Officer of Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, and she said: “Very honestly, we’re in a very tough situation at the moment. 

“I don’t think we’ve never seen this sort of pressure on our system at this time of year – not even during the worst of COVID. 

“If we’re going to pull through this, it’s by everyone in the region recognising the seriousness of the situation and working together to get us through these winter months.” 

Ms Hamlet added: “Anyone aged 50 and above can now book in online for a free flu and COVID jag, by visiting https://vacs.nhs.scot/csp 

“Getting these boosters refreshes your body’s own defences, ready for an encounter with these viruses. 

“Even if you’ve already had flu or COVID, or if you’ve been vaccinated before, getting these boosters when you’re eligible is extremely important as it will help cut down on the rates and severity of illness.” 

Anyone who is visiting an NHS building is asked to wear a face covering. Wearing a face covering continues to be the expectation of both visitors and staff as we look to limit any spread of infection. 

Additionally, any visitor to an NHS site including the likes of hospitals is asked not to enter the building if they feel unwell with symptoms or flu or COVID.  

Ms Hamlet said: “Our request to keep wearing face coverings in NHS buildings and not to visit if unwell with symptoms of flu or COVID is again all about limiting the risk of infection, particularly at a time when services are already functioning under great strain. 

“People are likely aware that one of the biggest challenges our system faces is having enough carers to support people to get home, or continue living in their own home. 

“If you have a relative or loved one who is currently delayed in hospital due to a shortage of care packages, you can help by being as accommodating, flexible and supportive as possible when trying to get your loved one home. 

“Arrangements may not be ideal at this challenging time, but it’s not to anyone’s benefit if your loved one is spending time in a hospital bed when they could be at home. 

“We need to appreciate the many hours that unpaid Carers already provide, and the fact that without them our health and social care system would simply not be able to function. 

“We don’t want to add to the pressures already being faced by those individuals, but where families and friends can offer to do more this would be met with a very genuine appreciation. 

“In addition, we need to thank all the carers working tirelessly within social care and recognise the scale and value of the contribution they continue to make in the face of very significant challenge.” 

Anyone who requires emergency treatment is encourage to come forward to receive help.  

However, please note that the Emergency Department at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary and Galloway Community Hospital are for very pressing emergencies only. 

Great advice and support is available online at www.nhsinform.scot or by calling NHS24 on 111, while medical practices and pharmacies are a great source of information and help. 

Extremely challenging winter ahead for health and social care

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AN EXTREMELY difficult and challenging winter lies ahead for health and social care within Dumfries and Galloway.

That is the warning from Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, anticipating that current massive pressures will only continue to grow as we move into colder months.

Chief Officer Julie White said: “As we enter the autumn, our services are already under the sorts of pressure we might more typically expect in the deepest depths of winter.

“Over the summer we worked closely with our frontline teams to develop an ambitious plan that will help us recover from the challenges we faced throughout the pandemic. Our plan was approved by the NHS Board on Monday 3 October 2022 and sets out clear actions against six priority areas.

“These focus on how we will support our staff, improve recruitment and retention, recover and protect planned care, modernise unscheduled care, develop social care and improve the sustainability of our local system.

“However, even though we are already working to deliver against that plan, things are only likely to get more challenging as the weeks progress. And while I wish I could offer a more comforting outlook, I think that every one of us needs to be prepared for a very tough next six months.

“What will this mean for people in real terms?

“People should be aware that while we will be doing everything we can to treat those who have been waiting longest as part of our commitment to waiting times, further disruption is likely to the backlog of scheduled elective procedures as we see a continued high volume of people presenting with urgent, unscheduled and complex needs.

“Much of this disruption might be very last minute, because in every situation we will be working to provide these procedures until such time that unfolding circumstances dictate we are unable.

“If you have a health need, please assist us and those who are also in need by considering the best point to obtain support.

“In many non-emergency situations, visiting NHSInform.scot or calling NHS 24 on 111 can be a good first option.

“We’re conscious that people have been waiting a long time for procedures and appointments. Meanwhile, others have waiting to hear back for longer than they should in relation to concerns and complaints. We’re working to keep people updated and we appreciate continued patience.

“Within social care, we continue to face a very significant challenge in meeting the volume of need. Staff who provide care at home services are such a vital part of the whole health and social care system, and we simply don’t have enough of them.

“Similarly, residential care provided by independent providers within the partnership is another area of great challenge, as the volume of need continues to grow faster than our resources.

“And it would all be impossible without the thousands of unpaid Carers in our region. Their vital role needs to be recognised along with the very great pressures they will also be facing this winter.

“We face all of this amid a marked and growing increase in costs, with a recurring £20 million deficit within the Health and Social Care Partnership’s budget, and with the prospect of even greater financial challenges over the next three years.

“For the staff across health and social care, this will be an extremely challenging winter, following on from the stresses of the last three years which should already have been enough to break any system.

“We will continue to rely on our staff and their tireless, professional efforts to provide the highest quality care, but we must all be realistic to the challenges that we face as a region.”