Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board agrees action plan to tackle intermediate care bed capacity problems

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The body with responsibility for addressing the region’s bed-based intermediate care needs has agreed to implement an action plan aimed at alleviating severe capacity problems affecting the service.

And key to the Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB) “Right Care, Right Place” strategy is flexibility in adjusting to demand.

Members agreed that provision would be made for some additional beds in settings such as care homes, while proposals on how cottage hospitals in particular will play a role in meeting future health and social care needs will be worked on with communities.

Speaking after the IJB meeting, chairman Andy McFarlane said: “As we plan for the future it is very clear that we face a massive challenge in meeting the increasingly complex needs of our population. “Continuing with the existing approach to bed-based care which sits between the two acute hospitals and people able to manage independently in their own home is not going to work. “We know we have to adapt and make strategic use of all our available resources in order to provide the treatment and care our population will require over the next 15 to 20 years. “I’m very pleased, therefore, that the report which came to the IJB today provides us with the best way forward, working together with our communities to develop an approach that best meets their needs.” Director of Strategic Planning and Transformation David Rowland said the IJB was “extremely grateful” to all those who took part in helping to shape the Right Care, Right Place report.