Public urged to have say in GP services review

A MAJOR review looking at how General Medical Services (GMS) are delivered across Dumfries and Galloway has reached its next stage

GMS refers to the everyday care provided by local GP practices - including GPs, practice nurses and healthcare assistants.

The review is examining how such services are delivered locally to consider what options exist to be more sustainable in the face of workforce pressures, premises challenges and the unique realities of rural delivery.

Offering an update, spokesperson Gillian Coupland said: “This review is about listening carefully to those delivering, supporting and relying on general medical services across our region. We want to capture what is working well and, just as importantly, where things can be strengthened for the future.

“Workforce, premises and the impact of rurality are all well-known challenges here. By engaging with GP practice teams, partner organisations and members of the public, we’re building a clearer understanding of what’s really happening on the ground.”

A programme of workshops and stakeholder engagement are nearing completion and the next phase will ‘test emerging thinking and continue conversations with stakeholders’.

After that, early next year, there will be detailed analysis and action planning, turning findings into proposals for change.

A progress update was given to members of the Dumfries and Galloway Integrated Joint Board (IJB) last week.

They heard that the workshops in Dumfries, Annan, Newton Stewart and Castle Douglas had strong attendance from GP practice teams, while public sessions were more lightly attended.

Feedback highlighted shared concerns around access, continuity, sustainability and quality of care, with continuity consistently identified as an essential element to protect in future models.

The IJB have called for ‘the widest possible public participation’ in the next phase of engagement set to take place in October and November.

Ms Coupland added: “We’ve had open and honest discussions, and although perspectives differ there’s strong consistency around what matters most.

“The next stage is about pulling this together into clear options for action. The aim is to make sure general medical services in Dumfries and Galloway are safe, person-centred, equitable and sustainable for the years ahead.”