Future of four cottage hospitals to be decided next week

The cottage hospitals have not accepted in-patients since the Covid pandemic

The future of four cottage hospitals in Dumfries and Galloway is expected to be decided at a special meeting next week.

Options for the sites in Moffat, Thornhill, Newton Stewart and Kirkcudbright range from reinstating in-patient care to complete closure.

The creation of community health hubs is the preferred way forward, according to an appraisal exercise by the region's health board.

A decision on their future role will be made at an extraordinary meeting of Dumfries and Galloway's Integration Joint Board on 29 October.

The sites have not accepted any in-patients since the Covid pandemic, with only vaccination and some outpatient clinics maintained.

Campaigners have argued that reopening hospital beds in community hospitals could ease the pressure on services and deliver a better rural care model.

David Rowland, director of strategic planning with the area's health and social care partnership, said a large amount of work had gone into reaching this stage.

It has taken nearly two years of discussions to reach this point.

Interim chief officer Nicole Hamlet stressed that the "clear recommendation" was to develop community hubs offering a range of out-patient services and treatments.

"Ultimately, the decisions sit with the IJB, who will consider all of the information and the recommendations at their meeting next week," she added.

"A statement will be provided by the IJB once they have made their decisions.

"We very much hope that everyone will recognise the very great care which has been taken to consider the best use of these cottage hospitals in the future."