More than 1,000 individuals have actively participated in a consultation regarding the future of Dumfries and Galloway’s cottage hospitals. The Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership has conducted a thorough review of facilities in Moffat, Thornhill, Kirkcudbright, and Newton Stewart, which have remained closed since 2020. Each site has been presented with six potential options, ranging from permanent closure to the establishment of health and social care hubs.
The public phase of the consultation concluded last Friday, amassing a total of 1,229 responses. David Rowland, Director of Strategic Planning and Transformation, expressed gratitude towards all respondents for engaging with the consultation process and considering the various proposed options. He emphasized the significance of the community’s input in shaping the decision-making process of the Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board, set to convene for an extraordinary meeting on October 29. Rowland highlighted the purpose of the consultation as a structured avenue for stakeholders to assess options, provide feedback, propose ideas, and have their voices heard.
While clarifying that the consultation is not a vote or referendum, Rowland assured participants that their insights would be thoroughly deliberated by the Integration Joint Board. Factors such as staffing availability, financial resources, operability of proposed models, and alignment with local needs will be taken into account alongside community feedback. Acknowledging the public’s eagerness for clarity on the fate of the four cottage hospitals under review, Rowland urged stakeholders to comprehend the consultative role in informing, rather than dictating, final decisions.
In anticipation of the forthcoming meeting, all materials informing the decisions will be disclosed on the Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership website. Rowland encouraged the public to peruse these documents comprehensively and avail of the opportunity to stay informed. As the region awaits the Integration Joint Board’s resolutions for the cottage hospitals, the emphasis remains on a consultative process that prioritises community input and deliberation.