EXPANDED use of intermediate care beds across Dumfries and Galloway is set to continue after delivering significant benefits for patients and the wider health and social care system.
Members of the Integration Joint Board (IJB) heard that the ‘Right Care, Right Place’ flexible beds model – supporting people to receive care closer to home – will move into its second year after being unanimously approved by the Strategic Planning, Finance and Commissioning Committee.
The model, which includes 21 flexible beds in care home settings providing intermediate care, step-up and step-down support, and helping with hospital discharge, delivered a net system benefit of £2.3 million in its first year.
IJB and Committee Chair Kim Dams said the approach shows how services can adapt to better meet people’s needs.
Reporting the meeting of the committee to the full IJB today, Ms Dams said: “This is a strong example of how we can work differently across the system to improve outcomes for patients while also making best use of the resources available to us.
These beds provide flexible, short-term care in a range of situations – helping people avoid having to go into hospital, supporting recovery, and ensuring care is provided in the most appropriate setting, including for those with palliative or end-of-life needs.
However, members of the Strategic Planning, Finance and Commissioning Committee had also heard that significant financial challenges remain, with a £22.3 million overspend across delegated NHS and council services highlighting ongoing pressure.
Work is underway across both organisations to reduce this, and members noted the importance of closer alignment to understand how decisions in one part of the system affect another.
Alongside financial recovery, the committee had discussed wider changes to how services are planned and delivered, including new Integration Joint Board directions and an updated commissioning approach, with a stronger focus on prevention and early intervention.
A renewed emphasis on engagement was also highlighted, with work underway on a new participation and engagement strategy to ensure communities, staff and partners help shape future services.
Ms Dams said: “I would like to thank all of the staff, partners and members of the public who continue to contribute to this work.
“Their insight is helping to shape services in a way that better meets the needs of communities across Dumfries and Galloway.”