People across Dumfries and Galloway are being encouraged to participate in consultations over the fate of Cottage Hospitals in Kirkcudbright, Moffat, Newton Stewart and Thornhill. Finlay Carson MSP is highly encouraging as many people as possible to get involved. The Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Board are running the process and have put forward a number of options:
- Status quo- There would be no change to the services currently being offered
- Status quo plus- The current services would be improved, adding the options for virtual appointments and a permanent consultation space for the neighbouring GP service.
- Offer a community health and social care hub
- Re-establish in-patient services
- Community ownership- ownership would be transferred to a community trust organisation
- Close the site- all services would be removed
Results from these consultations will be taken to the Integration Joint Board, along with assessments and financial appraisals, who will make the final decision on each cottage hospital. It is crucial that as many residents take part in the process so that we can shape the best possible way for receiving healthcare for our community. There is no need to register for any of the events and all are welcome to walk in at any time. There are now only a few in-person consultations left, dates and times of which can be found below:
17th of September Dalbeattie Town Hall- 3pm-7pm
18th September Thornhill Community Centre- 3pm-7pm
Online consultation will continue until the 27th, the link to which can be found here: Right Care, Right Place – consultation on the future of cottage hospitals – Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care (dghscp.co.uk)
