Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care

Two roles to help shape the future of health and social care in region

A CHANCE to shape the future of health and social care services in the region is being promoted to service users and unpaid carers through two key roles on the Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB).

The board, which holds responsibility for planning and overseeing adult health and social care across the region, is inviting applications for a Service User representative and an Unpaid Carers representative

These voluntary positions offer individuals with lived experience the opportunity to influence decisions at the highest level and ensure the voices of those receiving and providing care are heard where it matters most.

Interim Chief Officer Nicole Hamlet said: “These roles bring a strong and vital perspective to the table.

“Our Service User and Carer Representatives don’t just observe – they contribute, they influence, and they challenge. They help ensure that the care we design is rooted in the lived reality of those it serves.”

The IJB brings together senior leaders from NHS Dumfries and Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway Council, and the third and independent sectors. Its role is to plan services that help people live well and independently, whether in their own homes, communities, or care settings.

Successful applicants will become full members of the board and will play a strategic role in decision-making. They will also be expected to gather views from wider networks and speak on behalf of others who may not have the opportunity to participate directly.

The Service User representative will be someone who has personal experience of using adult health or social care services. The Unpaid Carers representative will reflect the perspective of those who support loved ones, friends, or neighbours without formal pay or recognition.

Nicole Hamlet said: “These are roles for people who care deeply about the services they or others rely on.

“It’s a chance to take personal experience and turn it into something that benefits the wider community. The insights they bring challenge assumptions and make services more person-centred, more responsive, and more compassionate.”

Board meetings are held approximately every two months, and support is provided to help representatives contribute fully to the work of the IJB.

The time commitment is flexible and can be balanced with existing caring responsibilities or other roles.

Full more information, to arrange to speak with Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership Chair Kim Dams about these roles, and to apply, please email dg.hslog@nhs.scot

Service User Application Pack – IJB

Carers Application Pack – IJB

 

 

IJB takes forward work to future-proof general medical services

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.

IJB seeks to close £30.7 million savings gap as financial challenges continue

HEALTH and social care services in Dumfries and Galloway continue to face severe financial pressure – with a savings target of £30.7 million set for the current financial year.

At the 3 June meeting of the Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB), members approved the latest iteration of the 2025/26 financial plan which confirms that more than around half of the potential savings have so far been identified. However, significant further work is needed to meet the total required.

Chief Finance Officer Katy Kerr described the target as ‘ambitious but essential’ and warned that the scale of the challenge will require ‘difficult decisions and transformation’ across both NHS and council-delivered services.

Mrs Kerr said: “We’ve made substantial progress in identifying savings schemes, with over half of the target now scoped. But we are under no illusion about the challenge ahead. The pressures we are dealing with — particularly around pay, prescribing, and care delivery — are systemic and unprecedented.”

Of the £30.7 million savings target for 2025/26, £18.2 million relates to services delegated to NHS Dumfries and Galloway by the IJB, while £12.5 million is to be delivered from adult social care services delegated from Dumfries and Galloway Council.

A range of savings and transformation work is under way, supported by groups including a dedicated Financial Recovery Board and a joint council-NHS planning team. Areas being explored include medicines optimisation, energy efficiency, contract reviews, and new models of care delivery

The Integration Joint Board also noted that no additional financial support will be available from the Scottish Government this year, and that IJB reserves are now almost entirely depleted.

The IJB has directed its NHS and council partners to operate within updated budgets of £428 million and £118 million respectively, with ongoing financial performance monitoring and quarterly reporting in place.

Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board Chair Kim Dams said: “This is a very serious financial position and we must be realistic about the scale of the challenge ahead.

“Our responsibility is to protect vital services while making sure they are financially sustainable. That will require tough decisions, but also real collaboration across our health and care system.”

A further update on the savings programme and associated decisions will be presented to the IJB later this summer.

ADP report highlights improvements over the past 12 months

FASTER treatment, stronger recovery support and greater involvement of people with lived experience are among the major gains in local drug and alcohol services over the past year.

Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB) has endorsed the Annual Reporting Survey submitted by the region’s Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP), highlighting its achievements in improving outcomes and saving lives.

Speaking after the IJB meeting on 3 June, ADP Strategic Lead Jackie Davies said: “The annual survey demonstrates the range of work being delivered to support the national mission to reduce drug deaths. It highlights the ongoing partnership work between statutory and third sector organisations with those people and families who are directly affected by drug and alcohol use.

“Through a year of strengthened collaboration, faster access to support, and increased involvement of people with lived experience, there has been obvious progress showing the wide range of ongoing efforts to reduce the impact of drug and alcohol use in Dumfries and Galloway.”

The report details a robust local response to Scotland’s National Mission on drug deaths and harms. Among the standout achievements are:

·  Real-time overdose monitoring and assertive outreach, enabling services to respond quickly to non-fatal overdoses and prevent further harm.

·  Faster access to treatment through improvements in the delivery of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), supported by direct feedback from people in treatment.

·  A new post-rehabilitation support pathway, offering talking therapies and better continuity of care for those completing residential programmes.

·  Expanded opportunities for people with lived and living experience to shape services, from planning forums and working groups to strategy development sessions.

·  A Whole Family Approach, supporting children and adults affected by a loved one’s substance use with counselling, parenting programmes, and family-specific recovery groups.

The ADP has also taken steps to address persistent challenges — from gaps in rural provision to workforce pressures. Revised pathways, a renewed focus on stigma reduction, and better integration with justice, mental health, and housing services all form part of a joined-up approach aimed at tackling the root causes of harm.

Nicole Hamlet, Interim Chief Officer of Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “The ADP is doing important work — not only reacting to immediate risk, but investing in prevention and long-term support. We are seeing practical steps being taken to embed recovery, reduce stigma, and ensure that people and families get the help they need, when they need it.”

Challenges remain, including improving access for marginalised groups and addressing demand for harm reduction tools like drug checking and safer-use equipment. However, the ADP has shown agility in adapting to emerging threats — including contaminated drugs — by strengthening its Local Early Warning System (LEWS) and updating local protocols.

A draft anti-stigma strategy is now in development, created in partnership with the Community Justice Partnership and Violence Against Women and Girls partnership. It is expected to play a key role in making services more inclusive and trauma-informed.

Looking ahead, the ADP will focus on sustaining recent progress, improving engagement with primary care, and continuing to invest in workforce wellbeing and capacity.

Ms Davies said: “Our partners, services, and communities have been working incredibly hard. What’s most encouraging is that people with lived experience are not just being listened to — they are helping to lead the change. That’s exactly the direction we need to keep moving in.”

The full report will inform national policy as part of the 2024/25 ADP Annual Survey and is available through the Scottish Government.

Town’s medical practice gears up for move into health and social care hub

A NEW chapter in Moffat’s healthcare story begins this month, as the town’s medical practice officially relocates into the former cottage hospital site – opening on 29th April 2025.

The move marks a major step forward in delivering modern, community-focused care, creating an integrated hub for provision of health and social care services.

General Manager for Health and Social Care Stephanie Mottram said: “I’m very pleased that the highly-anticipated relocation of Moffat Medical Practice to its new integrated base is set to take place later this month.

“During extensive engagement with the community as part of the Right Care, Right Place programme, it was very clear that there was a strong desire to see the medical practice relocate to a more appropriate and accessible setting.

“The transformation of Moffat Cottage Hospital into a community health and social care hub represents a significant step forward in delivering integrated services closer to home.

“Our goal is to create a versatile space that not only accommodates the medical practice but also offers virtual clinics and other essential services, ensuring that residents have comprehensive care within their community.”

She added: “Community engagement has been pivotal in this process. The feedback from the ‘Right Care, Right Place’ initiative has guided our decisions, ensuring that the services we introduce align with the needs of the local community.”

The Moffat Medical Practice team is equally optimistic about the move, viewing it as an opportunity to enhance patient care and accessibility.

Moffat Medical Practice GP partners said: “This is an exciting step forward for the practice and the wider community, but we want to make everyone aware that during the moving period, our services will be significantly restricted.”

Noting that the move on Friday 25th and Monday 28th April will see IT systems being relocated, the practice says that the team will only be able to deal with medical emergencies on these two days. This means they will not be able to process prescription requests, sick lines, test results, or administrative enquiries or tasks on these two days, and there will be no access to medical records until the move is complete.

Moffat Medical Practice GP partners said: “We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during this time of transition.

“While there may be some temporary disruption, we’re confident that the improved facilities at Moffat Community Health and Social Care Hub will bring long-term benefits for patients, staff, and the wider community.”

Board hears of advanced work at four cottage hospital sites

SIGNIFICANT work has already taken place to see four of the region’s cottage hospitals deliver a wider range of services in the heart of those communities.

On 4 March, members of Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board received a keenly-awaited report setting out the actions taken since the meeting in October when it agreed a plan for the sites in Moffat, Thornhill, Kirkcudbright and Newton Stewart.

Members heard that a lot of the work including the relocation of the GP practice in Moffat is well-advanced, and about plans for further stakeholder engagement around developing an even wider range of services.

IJB Chair Andy McFarlane said: “The decision on where to take these four sites was one of the biggest we have faced as a board, and it followed extensive engagement.

“Our members were extremely pleased to see that, five months on, a great deal of the work required to prepare these facilities for their role providing a wide range of services is already very advanced, and that no time has been lost in putting these plans into action.

“What came through very clearly in the engagement is that these communities wanted to see these facilities playing a vital role providing treatment and support to local people. It’s imperative that, very quickly, we see this promise delivered.”

The paper to the IJB noted that work preparing for the move by Moffat’s medical practice into the new community hub is almost complete – with the practice set to open there next month [APRIL].

The practice team will be joined on site by the Home Teams staff who co-ordinate delivery of treatment and care within communities, while the facility will also serve as the local base for vaccinations.

Work to accommodate the local Home Teams, and for them to serve as the local vaccination hubs, is complete at all four sites. And accommodation has been identified for the introduction of Virtual Clinic spaces which are able to bring a wider range of specialist services than was ever possible previously.

Meanwhile, in Newton Stewart, draft proposals have been completed for local delivery of IV Therapies and intravenous antibiotics through Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT).

These plans being spearheaded at Newton Stewart will go on to serve as the basis for similar services at the three other hubs.

IJB members were also told that scoping had been completed at Newton Stewart for provision of outpatient services to introduce Mental Health and Women and Children Services.

They were informed that continued involvement with stakeholders is set to take place as plans for wider range of services are taken forward at all four sites, with potential opportunities for the third sector to have a presence on site as a point of contact for people seeking support and advice on a wide range of issues.

Interim Chief Officer of Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership Nicole Hamlet said: “I’m very pleased that the IJB welcomed this report, and recognised that a great deal of work has taken place very quickly to prepare these sites to deliver a wide range of services.

“Reflecting that desire to see things continue to progress quickly, further reports are due at subsequent meetings, and we hope that very quickly all four sites will be extremely active and well-used, and that many people in these areas will be experiencing the benefits of these services.”

IJB appoints new Chair

A PASSING of the baton was seen at Dumfries and Galloway’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) on 4 March – with Kim Dams appointed to succeed Andy McFarlane as Chair following his two-year tenure.

The IJB is an independent body responsible for setting out strategic plans for health and adult social care in the region.

Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership is the separate organisation responsible for ensuring that the directions issued by the IJB are implemented by the NHS and Council.

Speaking as he departs the role as Chair of the IJB, Mr McFarlane said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Chair over the past two years, during which we have faced both challenges and opportunities in shaping the future of health and social care in Dumfries and Galloway.

“We have made important strides in improving integration between services through the likes of our Home Teams, which now sees daily collaboration to ensure people are receiving the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“We’ve also seen the IJB take some very significant decisions, around the development of cottage hospital sites to serve their communities, and on maternity services in Wigtownshire.

“While significant pressures remain, particularly around workforce sustainability and rising demand, I am proud of the progress we have made in strengthening collaboration and planning for the future.

“I have every confidence that Kim Dams will bring dedication and insight to the role, leading the IJB through the next phase of its work. The commitment of everyone involved in health and social care — staff, Carers, volunteers, and service users — remains vital to ensuring we continue to provide high-quality, person-centred support to communities across the region.”

Chief officer Nicole Hamlet acknowledged Mr McFarlane’s contribution and expressed her enthusiasm for the work ahead.

Ms Hamlet said: “I want to thank Andy for his leadership and dedication during his time as Chair. His efforts have helped shape the direction of health and social care very positively in Dumfries and Galloway, and I look forward to welcoming Kim into this role at the start of April, and to working with her over the next two years.”

The IJB will continue its work in developing strategic plans for health and social care in the region, with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and delivering effective services that meet the needs of local communities.

Andy McFarlane was appointed as IJB Chair in April 2023. He is an elected member of Dumfries and Galloway Council, representing Dee and Glenkens Ward.

Kim Dams was appointed as Vice-Chair in April 2023. She is chief executive of DG Voice, an organisation which represents disabled people in Dumfries and Galloway, and is also on the board of Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway.

The meeting also appointed board member Ian Carruthers as vice-chair of the IJB. Both appointments will take effect from 1 April 2025.­­

IJB welcomes progress on GP service review

Dumfries and Galloway’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) has welcomed news of progress with a review of general medical practices across the region.

At its last meeting in December, recognising the heavy pressure on GP practices across Dumfries and Galloway, the IJB agreed to develop a long-term plan to put GP services on a stable footing.

At its meeting on 4 March, the board heard the findings of initial engagement with GPs, practice managers, nurses and other health care workers. Increasing demand for services, staff shortages, and a need for better IT and data sharing support were all key themes, the report said.

Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership chief officer Nicole Hamlet said: “It is vital for us to listen to the people on the front line. We need to ensure stable, sustainable general medical services for everyone in the region, and the first step in that journey is hearing their concerns.”

“So much has changed in general medical practice in the last few years. Not just the impact of COVID-19, which put pressure on general practices as well as the rest of the health care system, but also the way the practices themselves have evolved.

“Many of our practices now operate as teams of specialist professionals – so the GPs will be working alongside advanced practitioners, primary care mental health nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and practice nurses.

“We need a long-term plan that safeguards general medical care for everyone in Dumfries and Galloway.”

The engagement continues in parallel with work to analyse the feedback it collects.  The findings will be presented to the IJB at its next meeting in June this year. This will be followed by stakeholder workshops and formal consultation, with a final plan due for approval and implementation early in 2026.

The IJB is an independent body responsible for setting out strategic plans for health and adult social care in the region.

Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership is the separate organisation responsible for ensuring that the directions issued by the IJB are implemented by the NHS and Council.

IJB hears update on Partnership finances

DUMFRIES and Galloway’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) this month heard an update on the Partnership’s financial position from Chief Finance Officer Katy Kerr for 2024/25.

The update recognised significant savings by NHS Dumfries and Galloway. The delegated IJB budget approved at the start of the year aimed to save £16.4 million this year. As of the end of December the health board had delivered £15.8 million in savings, and the rest are expected to follow by the end of the 2024-25 financial year on 31 March 2025.

However, rising costs and increases in demand for health care mean that the health board remains is forecasting a deficit, with an expected overspend of £31 million by the end of March, the IJB heard.

Meanwhile, Dumfries and Galloway Council spending on adult social care is currently forecasting an overspend of £0.5m though this is expected to return to the break-even point by the end of the financial year.

Partnership Chief Officer Nicole Hamlet said: “Making savings without compromising on the quality of health and care service delivery we provide has not been easy – especially as financial pressures  and the pressure of demand and activity increases  remain very high.

“But there is more still to be done. Keeping the Integration Joint Board on a solid financial foundation is crucial if we are to continue to deliver the health care that the people of Dumfries and Galloway need.

“Many of the savings made this year are non-recurring, which means we must continue to work to find more ways to operate more efficiently. We ask for understanding and support from our staff, from our health and social care partners, and from everyone across the region, in making these savings.

“Reaching our budget targets in future years will be incredibly difficult and we will need to make some bold and challenging decisions to transform and redesign future service provision.”

£2m a year will boost support and respite for D&G carers

A new plan agreed this month will see more support for unpaid Carers across the region – including more respite care to give them some much-needed time off.

The Integration Joint Board (IJB), which is responsible for directing health and social care across Dumfries and Galloway, voted in its meeting on 4 March to approve a three-year plan that will see more short-term care and better access to support for people caring for elderly or disabled relatives and friends.

Under the delivery plan, £2 million a year will be spent to support Carers. The bulk of the funding will go to expanding respite support, in which a care at home provider or a care home takes over looking after someone for a few days to give their normal carer a break.

Funding will also go to other forms of support for Carers.

IJB chair Andy McFarlane said: “Our community depends on its 20,000 Carers. The work they do is often unseen, often unrecognised and very often unpaid – but older people and vulnerable adults across the region simply could not manage without them.

“In December the Board approved a Carers Strategy which recognised how vital Carers are, and promised to provide them with more recognition, more access to help, and more support. Today’s delivery plan is the first step in putting these promises into effect, and we look forward to seeing more progress over the months and years ahead.”