Work is underway to develop the next Strategic Commissioning Plan which will shape health and social care in Dumfries and Galloway for the next three years.

Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board has initiated work on the new document – building on the 2016/19 plan which provided directions for a broader 10-year direction of travel.

Julie White is Chief Officer of Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, and she said: “We’re encouraging everyone within the region to have a voice in shaping the Strategic Commissioning Intentions for health and social care for the next three years.

“This may sound technical, but really it’s about telling us what is most important in terms of health services and adult social care services within our region, and informing our strategic priorities over coming months.

“This covers everything from hospitals to GP practices, care homes to care at home services and day centres. It’s a massive area of work, but it’s crucial that we know that our approach is aligned with the insights and views provided by the people who access and benefit from these services.”

This plan will affect everyone who accesses, may need to access or provides health and social care and support in Dumfries and Galloway. It impacts and involves third, independent and statutory sector services.

This plan will include where resources are prioritised and will affect future service delivery.

It is important that people who use and deliver services are involved in developing the plan to ensure it meets their needs. A process that offers people the opportunity to engage and share their experience and views will take place over the next few months.

Julie White said: “COVID-19 makes this a more difficult and complicated process of engagement, but work across health and social care continues to evolve in spite of the coronavirus and we need to ensure that we have a strategic plan in place for the years to come.

“I would urge everyone to ensure their voice is heard in this, and to play an active role in shaping health and social care services so that they’re best placed to meet the needs of our population for years to come.”

People can get involved by reading the consultation document Draft Strategic Commissioning Plan Consultation and answering the questions through Smart Survey, email, post or by telephone.

• smartsurvey.co.uk/s/8HFWIV/  
• dg.spcp@nhs.scot
• Strategic Planning and Commissioning, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, 2^nd Floor, South Wing, Mountainhall Treatment Centre, Dumfries, DG1 4AP
• 01387  241346 

Due to COVID-19 precautions hard copies of the consultation document are only available on request 

If you would like some help understanding the information contained in the consultation document or you need it in another format or language, please contact Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership by email dg.spcp@nhs.scot; post to  Strategic Planning and Commissioning, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, 2^nd Floor, South Wing, Mountainhall Treatment Centre, Dumfries, DG1 4AP; or call 01387  241346 

The closing date for comments on this phase of the process is 31 January 2021