Health service support focus of meeting

A MEETING has taken place between Dumfriesshire MSP Craig Hoy and Mark Cook, the chair of Dumfries and Galloway Health Board.

The aim was to discuss the challenges facing local health services and the action needed to ensure patients across the region continue to receive high-quality care.

They discussed efforts to reduce waiting times, tackle delayed discharges, address workforce pressures and secure an improved funding settlement for rural areas.

Afterwards, Mr Hoy said: "I was pleased to meet with Mark Cook and hear first-hand about the work being done by Dumfries and Galloway Health Board to improve services across our region.

“Despite the financial and operational challenges facing the NHS, staff continue to show remarkable dedication and commitment to delivering the best possible care for patients.

"We had a constructive discussion about the ongoing efforts to reduce waiting times, tackle delayed discharges and manage the significant financial pressures facing our local health service.

“Strengthening social care and expanding care at home services must be a priority if we are to relieve pressure on hospitals and ensure people can leave hospital safely and promptly when they are medically fit.

"I also raised the ongoing workforce challenges facing rural areas and stressed my belief that the Scottish Government must revisit both the NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee funding formula and the local government settlement. The current arrangements just don’t reflect the realities of delivering public services across large rural constituencies with dispersed and ageing populations.

“Our communities deserve a funding model that properly recognises these challenges and gives our NHS the resources it needs to meet growing demand now and into the future."