ENCOURAGING progress in quality and safety across local health and care services has been reported to Dumfries and Galloway’s NHS Board
The latest integrated Quality and Safety Report provided assurance that strong systems are in place to safeguard patients and support consistent standards of care across the region.
Speaking after the meeting this week, Executive Director of Nursing Mark Kelly said: “Over the past year, we’ve shifted to a single, integrated report on quality and safety. This gives us a clearer picture of care across the whole system, helps identify risks earlier, and ensures consistent standards for patients.”
The report highlighted a range of positive developments. Infection prevention efforts have helped reduce serious bloodstream infections caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium, which can spread quickly through the body and lead to severe illness. A new Hand Hygiene Strategy is also being rolled out to strengthen compliance with hygiene and uniform standards.
Hospital discharge processes are showing strong results, particularly through the new Acute Frailty Unit at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. Since opening in April, the unit has admitted 166 patients, with 132 returning directly home. Their average stay has been just 3.4 days – compared to the typical 17.5-day stay previously seen among older patients with frailty. This new approach is helping people recover more quickly, avoid readmissions, and return home with greater confidence, while also easing wider hospital pressures.
Clinical outcomes are also moving in the right direction. NHS Dumfries and Galloway now has dramatically better results for hip fracture patients and has been recognised nationally for the quality of its comprehensive geriatric assessments.
Progress is being made in how the organisation handles complaints and adverse events. While work continues to meet national targets for reviewing adverse events, complaints are now being resolved more quickly — often at an earlier stage.
Public protection has been strengthened too, with new pathways making it easier for staff to raise concerns and respond to cases of self-neglect.
Mr Kelly added: “Despite ongoing pressures, this report provides assurance that care across Dumfries and Galloway remains safe, effective, and centred on patients. When standards fall short, issues are identified and addressed quickly.”
He added: “This progress is only possible thanks to the dedication and professionalism of our staff, who consistently strive to deliver the highest standards of care. I want to sincerely thank and acknowledge every member of our teams for their hard work, commitment, and unwavering focus on patient safety and wellbeing.”
The Board confirmed that its risk appetite for patient safety remains minimal, reflecting a strong commitment to maintaining high standards of care. Members also endorsed the continued development of the integrated reporting framework as a key tool in NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s governance.