Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care

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Strategy to support Dumfries and Galloway’s unpaid Carers

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A major new strategy to improve support for unpaid Carers across Dumfries and Galloway has been officially approved by health and social care leaders at a meeting in Dumfries.

Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB) has adopted the Carers Strategy 2025-2028, marking a significant step forward for the thousands of unpaid carers in the region.

The strategy, titled ‘More of the Same Won’t Do’, aims to transform the support available to the estimated 20,000 Carers in the region who collectively provide over half a million hours of unpaid care every week.

Chair of the IJB Andy McFarlane described the decision as a ‘milestone moment’, and said: “Carers are the backbone of our care system, and this strategy is about giving them the recognition and support they deserve.

“It’s a bold plan to make sure Carers are valued, their rights are respected, and their own wellbeing is protected.”

The strategy follows extensive consultation with Carers and support organisations and responds to key issues highlighted in a 2024 survey. Many Carers reported feeling undervalued, excluded from decisions about the care of their loved ones, and unable to access vital respite services.

Mr McFarlane said: “This strategy is a response to what Carers have been telling us for years. The message is clear: more of the same won’t do. We need to deliver real change, and that starts now.”

Key priorities include:

Early identification of Carers to provide timely support.

Improved access to financial advice, respite care, and tailored support plans.

A dedicated focus on young Carers, with plans to develop a separate Young Carers Strategy.

Ensuring Carers are fully involved in decisions about care planning and hospital discharges.

The strategy’s vision is viewed simple but ambitious – that Carers are valued, their rights are upheld and respected, and their own health and wellbeing acknowledged and supported.

Mr McFarlane says that the strategy is not just a document but a call to action.

He said: “This is about putting Carers at the heart of everything we do. They provide so much to our communities, and it’s our responsibility to make sure they have the support they need to thrive in their roles.”

A fully funded delivery plan, detailing specific actions and timelines, will be presented to the IJB in March 2025. McFarlane promised that the board would work tirelessly with Carers to turn the strategy’s vision into reality.

Claudine Brindle, Chief Officer of Dumfries and Galloway Carers Centre, has welcomed the IJB’s adoption of the new Carers Strategy.

She said: “Carers are essential to the health and wellbeing of our communities.

“This strategy is a commitment to them, with a blueprint for an improved future and an increased awareness of the massive contribution Carers make to the delivery of health and social care in the region.

“From our perspective, for the 20,000 plus unpaid Carers in Dumfries and Galloway the adoption of the strategy is a sign that their voices are being heard, their contributions recognised, and that there is a strong commitment to providing them with the support they require. It is also hoped that this will bring with an increased recognition amongst all health and social care staff about the role Carers play and that they too need support.”

https://dghscp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Item-9-Appendix-1-Draft-Carers-Strategy-FINAL.pdf

IJB voices backing for Galloway Community Hospital

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* sub-committee recommends plans instead of review
* progress in stabilising workforce
* services must be delivered within budget

A PLAN in support of service provision at Galloway Community Hospital has been requested by health and social care leaders – describing the Stranraer facility as a ‘key part of the local healthcare estate’.

On Tuesday, Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board issued that direction to NHS Dumfries and Galloway, setting out desired outcomes including reduced locum and agency use, and services operating within budget.

Speaking after the meeting, IJB Chair Andy McFarlane said: “Within the Board there was unanimous agreement to support a report noting the very important role that Galloway Community Hospital has to play serving the people of Wigtownshire.

“At the same time, it was important to request plans for how we’re working to achieve ambitions for the hospital and the services it provides to the community.”

The report to the IJB came from its Transformation, Innovation and Futures sub-committee, which had previously been presented with an outline proposal to review services at Galloway Community Hospital in order to ensure their sustainability.

However, the sub-committee had noted the progress which has been made around stabilising the workforce within Galloway Community Hospital.

Its report said, ‘The committee agreed that, based on the update received, it was not necessary to proceed with the previously proposed review of services on the site’.

Instead, the report recommended that the IJB should issue a direction for the NHS to bring forward plans for provision of services within the available budget.

Desired outcomes included working within budget, reducing medical locum, nurse agency and AHP agency use, reducing length of stay in hospital, increasing morning and weekend discharge rates, and increasing the use of the hospital’s theatre.

Mr McFarlane said: “A proposal earlier in the year that a long-planned review of Galloway Community Hospital go ahead came at the same time as new information on the NHS’s very challenging financial position. This led to some public concern about plans for the facility, which was perhaps understandable but without foundation.

“The commitment to Galloway Community Hospital has been clear throughout. Following the improvement seen in staffing, the decisions taken on objectives for the hospital should make it clear that the IJB sees it playing a very important role within Wigtownshire for years to come.”

NHS Dumfries and Galloway intent on tackling medicines waste

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MEDICINES waste in Dumfries and Galloway is costing more than £1 million each year and harming the environment, but local NHS leaders are taking steps to tackle the issue.

At a workshop, healthcare professionals from across the region gathered to confront the problem head-on.

Experts painted a stark picture of the damage caused by unused prescriptions, while also outlining innovative solutions to make prescribing safer, greener, and more effective.

A Million Pound Problem

Every year, unused medicines in Dumfries and Galloway is estimated to cost the NHS in excess of £1 million, with many of these drugs incinerated at additional environmental expense.

Interim Director of Pharmacy Gordon Loughran opened the workshop by underscoring the urgency of the problem.

Mr Loughran said: “Medicines are essential to healthcare, but the waste is staggering.

“Whether it’s unused prescriptions piling up in homes or the environmental impact of disposal, we need to do better.”

NHS Dumfries and Galloway also faces rising challenges from polypharmacy, where patients are prescribed multiple medications.

Nearly 40 per cent of residents over 75 take five or more drugs daily, often leading to unwelcome side effects, poor adherence, and waste.

Patients Feeling the Burden

Deputy Medical Director Dr Grecy Bell shared that one in five patients feels overwhelmed by their medicines, with some prescriptions doing more harm than good.

Consultant Geriatrician Dr Amy Conley illustrated the human cost with the story of a local care home resident whose long list of medications left him dizzy, confused, and immobile. After a thorough review, unnecessary drugs were stopped, transforming his quality of life.

Dr Conley said: “This isn’t just about saving money – it’s about helping patients and giving them back more control.”

Environmental Crisis

Medicines waste isn’t just a financial and clinical issue – it’s also an environmental concern.

Clinical Pharmacist Dr Emily Kennedy highlighted that the incineration of pharmaceutical waste in Dumfries and Galloway releases thousands of kilograms of CO₂ every year, with inhalers alone accounting for 4 per cent of the NHS’s carbon footprint.

Improper disposal of medicines is also contaminating local water supplies, prompting calls for unused medications to be returned.

Dr Kennedy pointed to international studies showing pharmaceutical compounds harming wildlife and aquatic ecosystems.

Innovative Solutions

The workshop wasn’t all grim statistics, though. Attendees explored practical steps to address the problem, including:

  • Medication Reviews: Regular reviews in care homes to stop unnecessary prescriptions. Studies show that up to 50 per cent of care home residents are prescribed inappropriate drugs.

  • “Only Order What You Need” Campaigns: Similar initiatives elsewhere have saved over £475,000 in costs and reduced CO₂ emissions by 294 tonnes.

  • Recycling Medicines: While current rules require unused drugs to be destroyed, participants noted discussions have taken place around ways which might safely reintroduce unopened medications back into the supply chain.

Breaking Down Barriers

Workshop attendees broke into small groups to brainstorm other ideas.

Suggestions included improving patient education to reduce over-ordering and creating better systems for monitoring prescription use.

Mr Loughran said: “Ultimately, it’s a high volume of people being unwell in our region which drives the demand for medicines.

“And as part of the answer, we also need to be encouraging and supporting people to live healthier lives where possible, helping to reduce the need for medication.”

He added: “What’s apparent is that the solutions are there. Now it’s about turning ideas into action and working together to make a real difference.”

Next Steps

Insights from the workshop will feed into a Medicines Waste Implementation Plan, setting out practical actions for Dumfries and Galloway.

NHS leaders aim to roll out these initiatives over the coming months, with a focus on collaboration across primary, secondary and community care.

The move comes at a critical time, as the NHS faces increasing pressure to cut costs and reduce its carbon footprint.

Dr Kennedy said: “This is a challenge we can’t ignore. By prescribing smarter, reducing waste, and protecting our planet, we can create a healthcare system that truly works for everyone.”

What You Can Do

NHS Dumfries and Galloway is urging patients to do their part by ordering only the medicines they need, returning unused medications to pharmacies to be destroyed.

They are encouraged to inform the GP practice if no longer taking or needing a medication, and to attend regular medication reviews with the GP practice team.

Decisions taken on future role of four cottage hospitals

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  • Cottage hospitals in Newton Stewart, Kirkcudbright, Thornhill and Moffat are NOT closing.
  • Plan agreed to develop the hospitals as community hubs with a range of day and outpatient services.
  • Approach aided by commissioning of extra care beds for people who don’t need to be in a medical setting, but instead need care in a homely setting.
  • Consultation with stakeholders including staff and local people informed the decision, along with data on areas including finance, workforce, sustainability and future need.

A DECISION has been taken not to close four of the region’s cottage hospitals – and instead develop them to provide a range of important services in those communities.

Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB) reached that decision at an extraordinary meeting today, where they considered a range of options for cottage hospitals in Newton Stewart, Kirkcudbright, Thornhill and Moffat.

Options had ranged from reinstating inpatient care to closing the hospitals.

Speaking after the meeting, IJB Chair Andy McFarlane said: “A clear outcome has emerged from today’s meeting which guarantees the future of cottage hospitals in Newton Stewart, Kirkcudbright, Thornhill and Moffat, and which should see them working effectively to serve these communities for many years to come.


“A huge amount of information informed this decision, not least the extensive engagement, the options development and consultation work which took place.

“We feel that everything we’ve seen demonstrates that cottage hospitals continue to have a very important role to play in our communities, but that this role must evolve to best meet the changing needs of our population.”

The agreement reached today means there will be no return of in-patient services, but paves the way for these cottage hospitals to be able to provide an increased range of outpatient services and treatments.

The moves are viewed as opening up the ability of the cottage hospitals to provide a much wider range of services to a much wider range of people than before, while reducing the amount of travel out of these communities.

In the case of Moffat Cottage Hospital, the building will be adapted to serve as the new, permanent location of the town’s GP practice – something which was popular within the community and vital to the sustainability of those services.

Mr McFarlane said: “We’re assured that these models are achievable and sustainable, and are best placed to meet the needs of these communities.”

In reaching these decisions, the IJB considered data on workforce, finances, views of professional advisers, assessment of deliverability, and the results of the extensive public consultation.

Mr McFarlane said: “We very definitely listened to what came through the consultation. Indeed, I attended some of the 15 in-person consultation events which took place right across the region.

“As part of that, we heard people raising calls for a return of in-patient services.

“But we had to consider whether that’s the right focus, and the right move.

“Our data consistently shows that at any point we actually have more than enough capacity in our hospitals to provide in-patient care for people who have a medical need to be in a hospital – benefiting from the full focus of our trained medical professionals.

“For those people who don’t have a medical requirement to be in hospital, but instead should be being looked after at home or in a homely setting, that’s what we should be aiming to provide. It benefits them, and it benefits the system.

“A move agreed by the IJB last autumn means we are now seeing the commissioning of flexible intermediate-care beds within care homes.

“In much more appropriate surroundings, and with much more appropriate staffing, people can receive step-down care, step-up care, and palliative and end-of-life care.

“This benefits them, and it allows these four cottage hospitals to be used as was intended – as a base from which to deliver medical services, staffed by people using their full skills as qualified medical professionals.


“We want to see these sites continue to evolve to meet changing needs. And while we’re aware of calls to go further, with the likes of minor injuries units, we have to be realistic around what we can provide, and what is safe, effective and sustainable at this time.

“Let me conclude by suggesting that people take time to engage fully with all the materials which were presented to us, and to watch the recordings of our meeting and see our deliberations. All of this is contained at this website: https://dghscp.co.uk/integration-joint-board/integration-joint-board-meetings/

“In doing so, you will see this is a decision not taken lightly, but one which has required a great deal of consideration to come up with an approach which looks to ensure people are receiving the right treatment and care in the right place, at the right time.

“This isn’t an end, but instead a step in a continuing process focused on how we best provide health and social care to our local communities.”

As an outcome from the meeting, directions have now been issued by the IJB to NHS Dumfries and Galloway to take forward the development of the four cottage hospitals as community hubs.

The IJB has also issued a direction to Dumfries and Galloway Council to ensure that they have developed a comprehensive model of social care provision within communities across the region.

Take part in cottage hospitals consultation

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Consultation on options for cottage hospitals in Moffat, Thornhill, Kirkcudbright and Newton Stewart began on Friday May 17.

In-person events have been scheduled to take place once the school holidays are over – running from 20 August to 18 September.

You can also take part online, visiting www.dghscp.co.uk/rcrp-consultation

Having lost several weeks of promotion due to the Pre-Election Period, the consultation period has been extended so that it now runs until September 27.

Details on the six options for each location are set out on the Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care website www.dghscp.co.uk/rcrp-consultation

Dates, times and locations for the in-person drop-in sessions are as follows:

Kirkcudbright, 20th August, 15:00 – 19:00, Kirkcudbright Parish Church Hall
Newton Stewart, 21st August, 15:00 – 19:00, McMillan Hall
Stranraer, 22nd August, 15:00 – 19:00, Stranraer Millennium Centre
Dumfries, 27th August, 15:00 – 19:00, The Bridge
Langholm, 28th August, 15:00 – 19:00, Buccleuch Centre
Lockerbie, 29th August, 15:00 – 19:00, Town Hall
Sanquhar, 3rd September, 15:00 – 19:00, Community Centre
Gretna, 5th September, 15:00 – 19:00, Richard Greenhow Centre
Isle of Whithorn, 9th September, 12:00 – 14:00, St Ninians Hall
Whithorn, 9th September, 15:00 – 19:00, New Town Hall
Annan, 11th September, 15:30 – 19:30, Victoria Hall Complex
Castle Douglas, 12th September, 15:00 – 19:00, Town Hall
Moffat, 16th September, 15:00 – 19:00, Town Hall
Dalbeattie, 17th September, 15:00 – 19:00, Town Hall
Thornhill, 18th September, 15:00 – 19:00, Community Centre

IJB Annual Accounts out for public consultation

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The Unaudited Draft Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB) Annual Accounts for 2023/24 are now out for public consultation.

The IJB was established as a body corporate by order of the Scottish Ministers on 3 October 2015 as part of the establishment of the framework for the integration of Health and Social Care in Scotland under the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014.

The IJB has responsibility for the strategic planning and delivery of a defined range of Health and Adult Social Care services for the residents of Dumfries and Galloway.

The Draft Annual Accounts for 2023/24 opens with an overview of the key messages in relation to the objectives and strategy of Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (the IJB) and its financial performance for the year ended 31st March 2024.

It also provides an indication of the risks and challenges which may impact upon the finances of the IJB in the future.

The Draft Annual Accounts for 2023/24 can be read by visiting

Any comments should be sent to the email address katy.kerr@nhs.scot by the end of August 16 2024.

Consultation taking place on four cottage hospitals

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Consultation is about to take place on how to make best use of four of Dumfries and Galloway’s cottage hospitals – running from today until 18 August 2024.

Options have been developed through engagement with stakeholders for the cottage hospitals in Moffat, Thornhill, Kirkcudbright and Newton Stewart, and these are now the basis of the consultation.

Ultimately, the consultation outcomes will be brought to Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board, who will make any decisions on their future roles.

There are a variety of ways to take part – including in-person drop-in sessions taking place across the region, virtual consultation sessions, and a consultation document which can be completed online.

All materials including the online consultation document and the options appraisals report can now be found at the website https://dghscp.co.uk/rcrp-consultation/

It’s very important that everyone takes part and has their say, so please get involved.

In-person drop-in consultation events are as follows:

27 May 2024 Mon The Bridge, Dumfries 3-7pm
30 May 2024 Thu Moffat Town Hall 3-7pm
04 June 2024 Tue Castle Douglas Town Hall 3-7pm
05 June 2024 Wed Kirkcudbright Parish Church 3-7pm
10 June 2024 Mon Buccleuch Centre, Langholm 3-7pm
11 June 2024 Tue Lockerbie Town Hall 3.30-7.30pm
12 June 2024 Wed Thornhill Community Centre 3-7pm
17 June 2024 Mon Richard Greenhow Centre, Gretna 3-7pm
20 June 2024 Thu McMillan Hall, Newton Stewart 3-7pm
24 June 2024 Mon Victoria Hall, Annan 3.30-7.30pm
26 June 2024 Wed Millennium Centre, Stranraer 3-7pm
27 June 2024 Thu Sanquhar Community Centre 3-7pm
02 July 2024 Tue Dalbeattie Town Hall 3-7pm
04 July 2024 Thu St Ninian’s Hall, Isle of Whithorn 10am-1pm
04 July 2024 Thu New Town Hall, Whithorn 3-7pm
24 July 2024 Wed Online session 3-4pm
29 July 2024 Mon Online session 2-3pm

Consultation set to begin on role of four cottage hospitals

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CONSULTATION is about to take place on how to make best use of four of the region’s cottage hospitals – running from tomorrow, 17 May, to 18 August.

Work has been taking place since the start of last year on Right Care, Right Place, engaging with stakeholders on models for delivery of treatment, care and support in the communities of Dumfries and Galloway.

Director of Strategic Planning and Transformation David Rowland said: “A huge amount of engagement activity has taken place with members of the public, staff, local GPs and elected members over the past 15 months. All of that work has been aimed at looking to ensure we have safe, sustainable models for meeting health and social care needs over the coming years.

“Our initial work saw us engage around bed-based intermediate care, before going on to consult on a flexible-model for this approach – which was agreed by Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board IJB) in September last year.

“However, we’ve also engaged around how to make best use of our cottage hospitals to meet the needs of local people and avoid unnecessary travel out of the area. In particular, we’ve engaged around the four locations where in-patient services are suspended – in Moffat, Thornhill, Kirkcudbright and Newton Stewart.

“Having engaged with a range of stakeholders, six options for each of these facilities have been developed and brought to the IJB who have approved that they go out for formal public consultation.

“An extensive programme of consultation is set to take place, with in-person drop-in events taking place right across the region as well as virtual consultation events and the opportunity to submit responses online.

“All of this goes live this Friday May 17 2024, running until August 18 2024, and with all the information available at this following website from Friday: https://dghscp.co.uk/rcrp-consultation/

“Anybody seeking more information can also call 07385413671.

“Once the consultation is complete, the responses will be brought to the IJB where decisions are expected to be taken.

“Ensuring that we have a well-planned, effective and sustainable model for delivering community-based health and social care in Dumfries and Galloway is crucial, and I would urge everyone to get involved and fully consider the options which have been developed.

“It’s very important that when the IJB meets to consider the outcomes later this year that the decisions it takes are fully informed by the perspectives and experiences of people who live in these communities and who work within health and social care. Please do take the time to get involved, and to have your say.

“Right Care, Right Place is a continuing programme, and although the current focus is on these four locations, beyond this immediate focus we’ll be continuing to develop approaches which best serve all the communities in our region.”

Details will be available from this Friday 17 May at the website https://dghscp.co.uk/rcrp-consultation/

DGHSCP Intrapreneurship Programme

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DGHSCP Intrapreneurship Programme

Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership (DGHSCP) are delighted to launch an exciting new programme that we believe can make a real difference for local people and how we provide care and support.

Applications are now open for the Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership Intrapreneurship Programme, delivered in partnership with The Lens.

‘Enabling people to live well at home for longer’ is an ambition we all share and we are delighted to announce that DGHSCP is partnering with The Lens on a second Intrapreneurship Programme with the hopes to continue transformation across all areas of our health and social care system.

To learn more about the vision of the Programme, hear from David Rowland, Director of Strategic Planning & Transformation.

An investment fund of £50k was committed for the pilot Programme earlier in the year where five teams received investment to deliver their ideas after pitching at an Investment Day. To find out more about the day, watch the video here.

Launching today, the Programme will build intrapreneurial capability and capacity across DGHSCP and is a fantastic opportunity for professional and skills development. Those who participate will: develop business development and innovation skills, confidence, and leadership capabilities.

We know that it is often the people closest to the problem who have the best ideas. If you’ve got an idea that will enable people to live well at home for longer, DGHSCP would like to hear from you! Apply for the programme to have a chance at securing investment for your idea.

How to apply and who can get involved

Applications are now open and will close on the 21st November 2023.

You can find information on the application process, the application form and more details about the Programme here.

It is often the people closest to the problem have the best ideas. The Programme is open to all people who deliver health and social care and support, including unpaid Carers, third sector and other sector organisations.

Moving forward

I’m sure you all share our excitement as we take this significant step towards making our vision a reality.

This is a unique, exciting opportunity for you to make a real difference to the lives of the people of Dumfries and Galloway, and we look forward to hearing your ideas over the coming weeks.

If you have any questions at this stage, please do not hesitate to contact Jenny Coxon, Programme Manager at The Lens, who would be delighted to assist via hello@lensperspectives.org.uk

Actions agreed to address bed-based intermediate care needs

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ACTIONS to address the region’s bed-based intermediate care needs were agreed at today’s meeting of Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB). 

Members agreed a flexible model for some beds in settings such as care homes, along with proposals to work with communities on plans for how facilities, such as cottage hospitals, will play a role in meeting health and social care needs in the future. 

IJB chairman Andy McFarlane said: “As we plan for the future, it is very clear that we face a massive challenge in meeting the increasingly complex needs of our population. 

“Continuing with the existing approach to bed-based care which sits between the two acute hospitals and people are able to manage independently in their own home is not going to work. 

“We know we have to adapt, and make strategic use of all our available resources in order to provide the treatment and care our population will require over the next 15 to 20 years. 

“I’m very pleased, therefore, that the report which came to the IJB today provides us with the best way forward, working together with our communities to develop an approach that best meets their needs.” 

The Right Care, Right Place report results from extensive community engagement earlier in the year which was then followed by 12 weeks of formal public consultation in the summer focused on four areas: 

  • The findings of the Right Care, Right Place: Intermediate Care engagement programme earlier in the year 

     
  • A description of how intermediate care is delivered, and the forecast of what will be required in future  
  • The proposal to introduce a flexible approach to intermediate care, to allow bed capacity to be allocated to different roles depending on demand 
      
  • Ideas on how intermediate care should be delivered in each local area, over three timescales – 1-2 years, 5 years and 10-15 years  

Director of Strategic Planning and Transformation David Rowland said: “We’re extremely grateful to everyone who took part in Right Care, Right Place. 

“During the consultation we heard a strong and clear message from people across the region that they want to see bed-based palliative and end of life care delivered within their local communities as a matter of priority and that we also need to make provision for local step-up and step-down care.   

“The approach agreed at IJB today means we can start implementing a flexible approach to bed usage.  

“We will now be working closely with local care home owners to support them to expand capacity to deliver bed-based intermediate care within local communities. 

“We will also now be looking to build on the conversations we have had throughout this year and will be sitting down with local communities to start planning how we make best use of our wider facilities to meet their health and social care needs in the medium and longer-term.  

“As always, we need to undertake this work with our communities with a mutual appreciation and recognition that we don’t have boundless resources, and that within Dumfries and Galloway, as nationally, we face major challenges in areas such as finance and recruiting to vacant posts.  

“As the Right Care, Right Place consultation set out, we believe that key to meeting this increasing and increasingly complex need is flexibility – both in the way our care provider organisations are structured and positioned to deliver care, and also in the way that our populations adapt to ensure that finite resources are employed as effectively as possible, and that we all work to support each other as members of our communities.”