NHS Dumfries & Galloway have announced that the Darataigh Unit in Stranraer will re-open for a six month period to allow for full engagement and consultation with the community on the future provision of services for dementia patients in Wigtownshire.
MSP Aileen McLeod and MP Richard Arkless have today (Friday) welcomed the announcement which follows approaches made by both MSP and MP to the Chief Executive over the past week to ask for the recent closure to be reconsidered.
Aileen commented:
“I have been in talks with Jeff Ace repeatedly this week, along with Richard Arkless, to ask for the decision to close Darataigh very suddenly to be reconsidered. I recognise the concern that the original announcement caused and I welcome the Health Board’s acknowledgement that they went about this the wrong way.
“We have both had lengthy discussions with Jeff Ace about this issue and we have been very clear that changes like this need to be made with public support and confidence that the proposed replacement services will be better than what Stranraer has now.
“That didn’t happen this time but I am pleased that NHS D&G has agreed with us that the best way forward is to reopen Darataigh for now and really engage with the community in Stranraer to explain their plans.”
Richard said:
“This announcement caused massive concern and unhappiness in my home town and it could have been avoided. I have been very clear that the NHS needs to explain its plans to people in Stranraer more clearly than it has – and crucially tell us why they would be better than what we have now.
“I travelled back from Parliament early this week in order to speak to the NHS Chief Executive about this issue. I am pleased there has been a degree of movement from them and an admission this could and should have been done better.
“We have secured the future of Darataigh for the next six months – what really needs to happen now is that NHS D&G speaks to the community in Stranraer and reassures people that their plans will deliver better services for very vulnerable people in the town and surrounding area.”
