A MAJOR effort to shape the future of general medical services (GMS) in Dumfries and Galloway has taken a significant step forward, following extensive engagement with healthcare professionals and the public.
In its 3 June meeting, Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB) endorsed a detailed analysis of stakeholder feedback and supporting evidence, clearing the way for the next phase of a review that aims to secure high-quality, sustainable GP services for the region.
Speaking after the meeting, IJB Chair Kim Dams said: “This isn’t just a refresh — it’s a fundamental rethink of how we deliver care. The pressures on general practice are immense, but this review puts us on a path toward a model that is modern, resilient, and person-centred.
“Importantly, the new approaches which emerge from this work will align with and support the delivery of the national 2018 contract for provision of general medical services.”
At the heart of the review is a focus on making the best use of the current workforce to provide assessment, treatment, and care planning, while also developing a future workforce plan that’s designed to meet expected needs and support new ways of working.
The project has been shaped by engagement with over 300 individuals, including GPs, multidisciplinary staff, and the public, and has been backed by national and international evidence on what makes primary care systems work.
Nicole Hamlet, Interim Chief Officer of the Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “We’ve heard loud and clear that people want general practice to be accessible, joined-up, and built on relationships. This review is about responding to that call — not with quick fixes, but with a vision shaped by those who use and deliver these services every day.”
Key findings from the engagement revealed frustration with access models like the ‘8am phone line’, and a desire for more human, continuous care — especially in rural communities. Stakeholders also identified digital tools as a valuable part of modern practice. However, they stressed that they must enhance, not replace, the personal connection between patient and clinician.
Workforce concerns dominated the feedback, with many professionals reporting burnout and calling for better role clarity, team-based working, and flexible career options. The review will explore how practices could work together more in the future – sharing skills, experience, expertise and resources to better meet the needs of their patients.
The initiative also highlights the need for improved premises and IT infrastructure, as well as smarter use of data to support planning and quality improvement.
International models — such those seen in the Netherlands and care pathways in France — are being studied for insights into how Dumfries and Galloway might adapt successful approaches.
The review’s next phase, currently in development, will focus on developing options for change, using the principles of equity, integration, and sustainability as the foundation for decision-making. Further engagement will support the development of realistic and locally relevant options, with careful consideration being given to the practical challenges and opportunities identified so far.
Ms Dams said: “This is about much more than preserving what we have. It’s about co-designing a system that meets today’s needs and is ready for tomorrow’s. Our practices, staff, and communities are ready for that conversation — and now, so are we.”
A draft model is expected to be shared for wider engagement later this year, with a full vision due in early 2026.