More than 100 people gave their views on the future of community health care in Kirkcudbright on Monday afternoon.
The region’s health and social care partnership is looking at a range of options for bed-based intermediate care and is adopting a “flexible” bed based model.
One proposal being explored could see Kirkcudbright Hospital brought back into use in a new way.
The Save Kirkcudbright Hospital Action Group (SKHAG) is pushing for the facility to be reopened after it closed in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Spokesman Geoff Dean said: “More than 100 people attended on a sunny bank holiday and gave their views to the team about their hopes for Kirkcudbright Hospital.
“Meanwhile, SKHAG will be meeting with as many decision makers and influences as possible to try to get the best deal for our hospital and local communities.
“The group has heard from many people in Kirkcudbright and the local area affected by the closure of the hospital.
“Visits are having to be made to Dumfries or Stranraer, to see close family members in very distressing circumstances. This has also made any planning very difficult for families, whereas a step up or down via Kirkcudbright Hospital may well have significantly reduced the length of hospital stays.”
Councillor Dougie Campbell, who attended Monday’s event, added: “From the outset the action group has sought to ensure that the importance of the hospital and the services it can provide is recognised and at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
“It’s encouraging that the health and social care team are engaging constructively with us and our communities. I hope this continues.
“I’ll look forward to the publication of their recommendations later this year and I trust that they will reflect local views that have been so powerfully expressed.
“It’s been more than three years now since the hospital was temporarily closed, which understandably leads to local fears that it will never re-open.
“Along with fellow councillors and as a member of the action group we’ll continue to make the case for it reopen at the earliest opportunity. Fighting to keep care local really does matter to the health and wellbeing of people here.”
A DGHSCP spokesman said: “This was a well-attended event, which saw many people coming along to have their say on proposals.
“Bed-based intermediate care is defined as the care people receive between a large hospital and what they are able to manage at home. It takes in everything from cottage hospitals to care homes, palliative care to respite care.
“The four main areas around which consultation is taking place are as follows:
“The findings of the Right Care, Right Place: Intermediate Care engagement programme earlier this year
“Our description of how intermediate care is delivered, and our forecast of what will be required in future
“The proposal to introduce a flexible approach to intermediate care, to allow bed capacity to be allocated to different roles depending on demand
“Ideas on how intermediate care should be delivered in each local area, over three timescales – one to two years, five years and 10 to 15 years.”
People can also take part by visiting http://dghscp.co.uk/rcrpconsultation/, emailing dg.scsp@nhs.scot or calling 01387 272734.
Members of SKHAG are able to provide paper versions.
