SERIOUS pressures already face health and social care in Dumfries and Galloway, as it heads into one of the most challenging winters ever faced.
The volume of routine work is already placing a serious strain on systems, exacerbated by the limitations and demands resulting from COVID-19 – and all while scaling up the biggest ever mass vaccination campaign the region has ever seen.
Julie White is Chief Officer of Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, and she said: “Make no mistake, this winter is shaping up to be among the most challenging Dumfries and Galloway has ever faced in terms of health and social care.
“It’s going to take a huge amount of work and dedication to help see us through this, and we’re going to need everyone’s help.
“First and foremost – if you have a health or social care concern, the system is there to help you, so please don’t be deterred from seeking assistance. Your wellbeing is the most important thing in everything we do.
“What we would ask, though, is for people to give serious, responsible thought as to how to address any issues, to consider the best and most appropriate points of contact, and to always try and think what they can do to support themselves and each other.”
Currently, systems are working differently in order to reduce the risk posed by COVID-19, and to ensure that there is contingency planning in place should it be required if the number of positive cases increases significantly.
Mrs White said: “We’re currently monitoring the emergence of a new, seemingly more transmissible strain of COVID-19 predominantly identified in the south east of England and in Wales, but which we know has also been seen in Scotland.
“With the threat this poses, it’s more important than ever that everyone continues to follow the FACTS guidance about face coverings, hand hygiene and physical interaction, and that they immediately self-isolate and arrange a test if they experience any symptoms.
“Immediately after Christmas, all of mainland Scotland will be moving into Level 4 restrictions. I would ask everyone to make themselves aware of what those restrictions are and to please follow them to the absolute letter.
“The potential for a further surge in cases, particularly over winter months, has been at the heart of our planning around COVID from early stages, but this extensive planning by no means guarantees that we are able to deliver all services as they should be. It is entirely possible that, as during the first wave, a number of current, non-emergency services may need to be scaled back in response.”
The cottage hospitals of Moffat, Thornhill, Kirkcudbright and Newton Stewart – one in each locality – are currently dedicated to serve as COVID step-down facilities, and this will remain the case at least until the end of March at which point a review is planned.
Staff at these facilities and from across the wider estate are currently working in areas including ensuring people’s safe return from hospital to their homes and the delivery of the mass vaccination programme. And with historically-established challenges around recruitment, hard working staff are being required to be as adaptable as possible in these very challenging circumstances.
In terms of the COVID vaccination programme, this is currently proceeding exactly as planned – and in line with Scottish Government directions.
Vaccination of front line health and social care staff began on Tuesday December 8, followed by a roll out to care home residents and staff from last Monday December 14. It is hoped that all of those in care homes will receive their first of two vaccinations before the end of December.
While excellent progress is being made, the anticipated approval of the Astra Zeneca vaccine, which does not have to be stored at extreme temperatures, is expected to play a major role in the wider vaccination programme which will be running over the winter months.
Mrs White said: “Key to the vaccination programme is people being patient until they are approached and invited to receive a vaccination in line with Scottish Government directions, everyone continuing to follow the national rules even once vaccinated until widespread immunity is established, and also being assured of the processes that have led to the creation of vaccines which can help tackle the coronavirus.
“We really need everyone working together this winter, all of us doing our bit to help place us on the path to something more like what we remember as our normal lives.
“So much hard work and sacrifice has already been contributed, but as we face the many combined challenges over this winter we need to all pull together more than ever to help see us through this.
“Our staff, volunteers and systems will be sorely tested in the process, and we will all have to adapt, but together we can hopefully get through the dark winter months to brighter prospects next year.”
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