Dumfries and Galloway councillors are advocating for the introduction of in-patient services and community care at cottage hospitals in the region. This proposal comes after facilities in Kirkcudbright, Newton Stewart, Thornhill, and Moffat were mothballed in 2020. The health and social care partnership in the area conducted a consultation to determine the future of these sites.
During the full council meeting on Thursday, councillors discussed various options outlined in the consultation, ranging from permanent closure to establishing community health and social care hubs. Ultimately, they supported a blend of two options, suggesting that a small number of beds be made available at each hospital alongside community services. This proposition was spearheaded by Councillor Pauline Drysdale of Castle Douglas and Crocketford.
Councillor Drysdale emphasised the importance of providing local support and bed-based care in rural communities. She highlighted the strain on social care services and proposed the allocation of two palliative care beds and two respite care beds at each hospital, in addition to community services. Her colleague, Mid Galloway and Wigtown West councillor Richard Marsh, echoed her sentiments, stressing the need to address the complex care requirements of constituents.
Stephen Morgan, in charge of social work services, expressed support for the blended option, citing its local flexibility and suitability for the communities. The council agreed to endorse this approach, contingent upon its alignment with the needs of each hospital’s community. Additionally, they pledged support for the work conducted through the Transforming Wigtownshire consultation.
The councillors’ decision reflects a commitment to meeting the healthcare demands of rural areas and leveraging existing assets to provide essential services. By advocating for a combination of in-patient services and community care at cottage hospitals, Dumfries and Galloway councillors aim to enhance care provision and address the pressing challenges currently facing the region’s healthcare system.