Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care

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Decisions taken on future role of four cottage hospitals

  • 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.

Key meeting to decide future of four cottage hospitals

  • IJB meets next week to decide on options for four cottage hospitals
  • Community hub option recommended by DGHSCP for each of the four sites
  • IJB will consider range of data and responses to consultation

DECISIONS on the future roles of four of the region’s cottage hospitals are due to be taken at a meeting next week.

The extraordinary meeting of Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB) on Tuesday 29 October will consider options for the cottage hospitals in Moffat, Thornhill, Newton Stewart and Kirkcudbright.

Options for consideration range from reinstating inpatient care to closing the hospitals completely and selling off the land.

David Rowland is Director of Strategic Planning and Transformation for Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, which was asked by the IJB to consult on options for each of the four sites.

Mr Rowland said: “As a Health and Social Care Partnership, we’re very conscious of a desire from the IJB, staff, public and stakeholders to have a clear plan for the four cottage hospitals in Moffat, Thornhill, Newton Stewart and Kirkcudbright.

“Over the last two years a very large amount of work has taken place engaging with communities, staff and stakeholders – leading to a point where we’ve consulted on a range of options and are now making recommendations to the IJB.”

Nicole Hamlet is Interim Chief Officer of Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership

Mrs Hamlet said: “To be explicit – our clear recommendation to the IJB is to retain these important facilities, and see them developed as community hubs to offer a wider range of out-patient services and treatments, making them more accessible for local people.

“Ultimately, the decisions sit with the IJB, who will consider all of the information and the recommendations at their meeting next week. A statement will be provided by the IJB once they have made their decisions.

“We very much hope that everyone will recognise the very great care which has been taken to consider the best use of these cottage hospitals in the future.”

LINKS

Papers for next week’s extraordinary meeting of the IJB have been published on the DGHSCP website at this address: https://dghscp.co.uk/integration-joint-board/integration-joint-board-meetings/

Next week’s extraordinary meeting of the IJB takes place in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary on 29 October at 12 noon. A recording of the meeting will be made available to view following the meeting at the DGHSCP website page https://dghscp.co.uk/integration-joint-board/integration-joint-board-meetings/

Cottage hospital consultation drop-in sessions start next week

DROP-IN consultation events on the role of four of the region’s cottage hospitals begin next week.

Consultation is taking place on options for cottage hospitals in Moffat, Thornhill, Kirkcudbright and Newton Stewart, with drop-in events for the public taking place next week in Kirkcudbright, Newton Stewart and Stranraer.

Director of Strategic Planning and Transformation David Rowland said: “We’re very pleased that so many people have already taken part in the consultation on the four cottage hospitals.

“While people can continue to take part online, by visiting the website, next week sees the start of in-person drop-in sessions. At these events, people can call in and either be supported to complete their response to the consultation or take away the survey document.

“It’s very important that everyone is encouraged and supported to have their say on how the cottage hospitals are employed going forward, and I hope to see really good turnouts at Kirkcudbright next Tuesday, Newton Stewart next Wednesday and Stranraer next Thursday.”

Following extensive stakeholder engagement and focused workshop sessions, six options were developed for each of the four cottage hospital sites.

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

These options are the status quo, status quo plus, a Community Health and Social Care Hub, an inpatient facility, community ownership and closure of the site.

People visiting the site can review the documentation and can complete their formal response to the consultation online, with the consultation drawing to a close on 27 September 2024.

A busy schedule of drop-in sessions begin next week, offering local people a chance to discuss the options with members of our team before completing the consultation document.

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 Millenium 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

The events are being promoted through a radio campaign, newspaper advertising, promotions on social media, poster campaigns and direct engagement with local groups.

Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB) are responsible for making strategic decisions over the future of health and social care, and issuing directions for implementation to the NHS and local authority.

The IJB will be presented with recommendations resulting from the work which has been undertaken at an extraordinary meeting on 29 October 2024.

They will be asked to consider these recommendations, taking account of the feedback from consultation, the outputs from the options appraisal, an assessment of their financial viability, the associated workforce implications, as well as the views of professional advisors and the management team responsible for delivery.

They will also be asked to consider all the formal responses to the consultation, and a financial appraisal of the options.

LINKS:

An animated video promoting the cottage hospital consultation: https://youtu.be/RaFtXIyw6Vg

A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document can be found here: https://dghscp.co.uk/right-care-right-place-consultation-frequently-asked-questions/

Take part in cottage hospitals consultation

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

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 events postponed due to Pre-Election Period

IN-PERSON drop-in events planned as part of the consultation on options for four cottage hospitals in the region will have to be postponed until after the newly-announced General Election.

Rules around the Pre-Election Period mean that gatherings such as those planned for Moffat on May 30 are not able to go ahead in the run-up to July 4th, and we are not permitted to promote the consultation during this time.

Director of Strategic Planning and Commissioning David Rowland said: “A consultation on behalf of Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board on options for cottage hospitals in Moffat, Thornhill, Kirkcudbright and Newton Stewart began last Friday May 17.

“A total of 15 in-person events taking place across the region had been scheduled and promoted, but rules around the period leading up to a General Election now mean that these cannot go ahead.

“None of these drop-in sessions will now take place before July 4. And while the consultation itself won’t be promoted when the ‘Pre-Election Period’ begins on Saturday May 25, all the materials including the online survey and downloadable forms will continue to remain available at the website https://dghscp.co.uk/rcrp-consultation/

“We will look to be able to pick up activity immediately after the General Election, and provide an update on consultation plans, hoping in the meantime that everyone will appreciate the requirement to comply with the rules which accompany periods in the run-up to elections.

“As of 22 May 2024, we had already received 99 completed surveys. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed thus far and want to reassure them that the views they have offered will be shared with the IJB as part of our analysis of the feedback received during consultation.

“All completed surveys received during the Pre-Election Period and those submitted once we return to active consultation will also be included in that analysis.

“At that point consideration will be given to what extension may be required to the consultation period – so as to be able to accommodate rescheduled in-person drop-in events.”

Consultation taking place on four cottage hospitals

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

IJB okays consultation on options for care in region’s communities

OPTIONS for providing care in communities across Dumfries and Galloway are to be written up and assessed – in the next stage of the Right Care, Right Place programme.

On Tuesday, members of the Integration Joint Board (IJB) agreed plans to advance the work focused on the care which does not require the services of an acute facility and is not delivered in someone’s own home.

IJB Chairman Andy McFarlane said: “A great deal of work has taken place within Right Care, Right Place, looking at the provision of care, gathering views and insights, and looking at future models.

“With our region’s changing demographics and increasingly complex care needs, we know that we need to adapt our approaches in order to best serve our communities – now, and over the longer term.

“Last year, Right Care, Right Place gathered a huge amount of valuable insight and understanding from local stakeholders, including public and staff.

“In recent weeks, the team have been undertaking focused workshop sessions with stakeholders to take all that we’d learned and start planning, in real terms, how we can adapt to meet the care needs in our communities.

“This takes in everything from the roles played by our care homes to the services embedded in our cottage hospitals.

“A range of options for each of our eight Home Teams areas has been identified. And yesterday we agreed the next stage – to work with stakeholders to assess and shortlist the options, taking the most viable approaches out for public consultation.

“This consultation is expected to begin later in the spring, and we’ll be encouraging everyone to have their say.

“We are working to ensure that, by September, the Board have the necessary information to make the decisions that will provide the best outcomes for all involved, and begin implementing models of care that are best placed to meet the needs of communities both in the short term, and for years to come.”

Full details on the paper to IJB on 5th March 2023 can be found by visiting: https://dghscp.co.uk/integration-joint-board/integration-joint-board-meetings/

maternity consultation

A CALL is being made for everyone to have their say on two options for the future of maternity services in Wigtownshire – as consultation gets underway.

A series of in-person events and an online survey will set out the options to provide a birthing service for pre-planned, ‘low-risk’ births.

These represent around a quarter of all pregnancies in Wigtownshire.

Lyn Durrant is General Manager for Women, Children and Sexual Health, and she said: “We’re very keen to encourage and support everyone in Wigtownshire to provide their response to this formal consultation on birthing services.

“A full programme of engagement begins today, Monday November 20.

“We’d invite everyone to have their say, to help spread the word to friends and neighbours, and encourage the fullest participation – as the approach which emerges from this will serve Wigtownshire for years to come.”

Engagement earlier in the year gathered the thoughts of stakeholders including service users and staff.

The work took place under the direction of independent chairs, and the findings were used to develop several different options for ‘intrapartum’ birthing services.

After the options were scored, two shared first place.

One was for the current arrangements, providing only for low-risk home births.

The second option would allow pre-planned births within Galloway Community Hospital, but only for the same relatively small number of low-risk births and with the same level of support provided for home births.

This second option was narrowly preferred by the independent chairs when the scores by local professional NHS staff were excluded.

Feeling there was a lack of a decisive outcome, and with no proposals or options having yet been taken out for the public to consider, a recommendation was agreed by a sub-committee of the Integration Joint Board that two options be taken out for formal consultation.

Lyn Durrant said: “Just to be clear, and contrary to some reporting, neither of these options would represent a full birthing service in Wigtownshire.

“High risk pregnancies have always been advised to take place in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, and this would remain the advice.

“It’s important that everybody takes the time to understand all the considerations here, including the fact that both options would only be for low-risk pregnancies and that this is about 23 per cent of all pregnancies in the area.”

The consultation is set to run into February.

Once it has concluded, independent agency Sleeping Giants will produced a thematic analysis of what has come out of the consultation.

This independent report will then be used to help develop a recommendation which will be brought to Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board.

Full details and the online survey are available now at the website https://dghscp.co.uk/maternity-consultation/

Vital new service for people affected by cancer comes to Dumfries and Galloway

A new service to ensure people living with cancer and their families are offered emotional, practical and financial support was launched in Dumfries and Galloway this week (1st November) as part of a successful model spreading around Scotland.

Macmillan Cancer Support, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership and Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway are working with a range of partners to make sure people across Dumfries and Galloway can access all the help they need – by making just one phone call.

The Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey service is a tried and tested model which provides one to one, tailored support for people affected by cancer and reduces pressure on health services. It is already available in many parts of Scotland, and now the people of Dumfries and Galloway can feel its positive impacts.

Anyone who is newly diagnosed with cancer in the area will either hear about the service from their hospital cancer team or a letter and will be offered a meeting with a link worker. The link worker will then help the person access a wide range of non clinical support that ranges from benefits advice, emotional support, to help at home or other practical needs.

There are around 100 people diagnosed with cancer each month and approximately 1200 people living with cancer across Dumfries and Galloway. By 2030, one in two of us can expect to be diagnosed with cancer at some point in our lives.

While it’s good news that advances in treatment mean that more people than ever are surviving, it also means that people living with cancer are living longer, often with long-term effects of treatment or other health conditions that have an enormous impact on health, wellbeing and independence. Many of them don’t know where to go for help in coping with the non-medical effects of the illness.

John Lytham from Dumfries, who was referred to the service after his diagnosis, said: “I was really down in the dumps, I must admit. My whole world collapsed. It was actually my clinical nurse Julie Baty who referred me to the Macmillan Improving Cancer Journey and my daughter Stephanie also made the referral.

“Julie McClelland, my link worker, was soon on the phone and she was very cheery and made an appointment to come out and talk about the cancer. She explained everything to me, made me feel relaxed, and she made me aware straight away that in no way would I be alone on my cancer journey. She told me: ‘We’re here to support you all the way.’

“Overall they really did help me. After meetings with Julie she would always phone up, chasing blue badges, financial support, all sorts of different things. It really is invaluable because it opens up new avenues. I would definitely recommend anyone diagnosed to go to Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey.”

Macmillan’s Head of Partnerships for Scotland & Northern Ireland Janice Preston said:

“Cancer has a huge impact on every aspect of people’s lives and many people tell us they don’t know where to turn for help. This new service should make sure everyone with cancer and their families and carers in Dumfries and Galloway have someone to call on for help. Improving the Cancer Journey practitioners will help individuals to identify their needs and access expert support, from benefits advice to emotional support – whatever they might need. We hope this service will transform cancer support in Dumfries and Galloway.

It’s thanks to the continued support from people locally, who fundraise for us and donate so generously, that we are able to fund this vital new service. With their help we can make a huge difference to the lives of people affected by cancer in Dumfries and Galloway.”

Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership chief officer Julie White said: “A cancer diagnosis can be a concerning and unsettling event in someone’s life and many people will be left with questions or a need for very practical advice and support.

“The programme being implemented in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support aims to help meet this need by connecting people to the wide range of help which is available.

“Whether it’s advice around benefits, securing practical help at home, or identifying some emotional support, this programme will deliver a real package of support at a time when many people will feel they need it the most.

“We look forward to seeing the benefits the programme will deliver over coming months.”

The project is open to everyone aged 18 and over living with cancer regardless of their cancer type or where they live in Dumfries and Galloway. To find out more about the Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey service call 07977 171837 or email dg.icj@nhs.scot

ENDS

For further media information please contact:

DGHSCP communications team: alexander.campbell5@nhs.scot or call 07932 745130

About Macmillan

At Macmillan, we give people with cancer everything we’ve got. If you’re diagnosed, your worries are our worries. We will move mountains to help you live life as fully as you can.

And we don’t stop there. We’re going all out to find ever better ways to help people with cancer, helping to bring forward the day when everyone gets life-transforming support from day one.

We’ll do whatever it takes. For information, support or just someone to talk to, call 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk

DGHSCP chief officer Julie White addressing the launch event