Positive updates on safety and quality at NHS

ENCOURAGING progress in quality and safety across local health and care services has been reported. NHS Dumfries and Galloway's latest integrated quality and safety report provided assurance that strong systems are in place to safeguard patients and support consistent standards of care across the region. Among the range of positive developments are a new hand hygiene strategy; complaints being resolved more quickly; and infection prevention efforts have helped reduce serious bloodstream infections. There's also been progress when it comes to hospital discharge, largely due to a new acute frailty unit at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. Since opening in April, it has admitted 166 patients, with 132 returning directly home. Their average stay has been just 3.4 days – compared to the typical 17.5-day stay previously seen among older patients with frailty.

Meanwhile, NHS Dumfries and Galloway now has dramatically better results for hip fracture patients and has been recognised nationally for the quality of its comprehensive geriatric assessments. Public protection has been strengthened too, with new pathways making it easier for staff to raise concerns. Commenting, executive nursing director Mark Kelly, above, said: “Despite ongoing pressures, this report provides assurance that care across Dumfries and Galloway remains safe, effective, and centred on patients. When standards fall short, issues are identified and addressed quickly.”