Work ongoing to address hospital transport issues

NHS Dumfries and Galloway say they are aware of public transport challenges facing Langholm and Eskdalemuir residents trying to get to DGRI.

The Scottish Government Health and Social Care Secretary, Neil Gray, last week sent a letter to Dumfriesshire MSP Oliver Mundell offering an update.

It comes after concerns regarding public transport problems were raised at last month’s meeting of Langholm, Ewes and Westerkirk Community Council

Mr Gray said he had spoken to the chief executive of NHS Dumfries and Galloway, Julie White.

She had told him the board were aware of transport challenges being faced in both Langholm and Eskdalemuir.

It was also noted the board were working with community groups to ‘explore challenges’ and ‘improve accessibility to healthcare’.

Mr Gray wrote: “(Ms White) stated that she fully appreciates the difficulties that patients living in remote and rural area have in accessing care within the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary site, and assured me that the board actively participates in the South West Scotland Transport Partnership which aims to deliver improved transport for local communities.”

He also explained that Ms White had stated a re-introduction of outpatient clinics had been successful and a new director of digital services had been appointed to support digital solutions.

The letter continued: “NHS Dumfries and Galloway have also commenced work exploring a community transport hub in D and G in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire to provide accessible, community based options for people who require support to access its services.

“Ms White understands that the community have directly approached a windfarm company who have expressed an interest in supporting transport initiatives.

“She also stated the local authority has been experiencing challenges in procuring bus provision and advised the board would continue to work closely with the local authority to mitigate the impact of any further destabilisation of the transport infrastructure.”