News

A CO-ORDINATED approach is in place within Dumfries and Galloway to address the likelihood of a national outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). Since the first reports of the outbreak in Wuhan, China, Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership has been working to prepare a suite of local arrangements in anticipation of the virus reaching […]

NHS Dumfries and Galloway is well-prepared for any positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and is asking the public to play their part in protecting themselves and each other. While all tests in Scotland have so far been negative, Deputy Medical Director Dr Grecy Bell says an outbreak is highly likely based on the spread of

A VACCINATION programme in schools helping to protect against cancer is being expanded to include boys for the first time.  Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has been offered to S1 schoolgirls in Scotland since 2008, helping to protect against cervical cancer, and parents are now being asked to ensure permission forms for boys are returned as

NHS DUMFRIES and Galloway’s Neonatal Services have been awarded a Certificate of Commitment in a first step towards gaining international recognition from the UNICEF UK (United Nation’s Children’s Fund) Baby Friendly Initiative. The Certificate was presented to staff by Janet Dalzell, UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Professional Officer for Scotland on February 18 2020 in

A HOSPITAL in the region has achieved the gold standard in the care it delivers to patients. Staff at Annan Cottage Hospital say they are ‘ecstatic’ after being recognised with Gold Level 3 Care Assurance – following a series of unannounced inspections.  Carole Shannon is Senior Charge Nurse at the facility on Stapleton Road in Annan, and she said: “Everyone was just absolutely

  GENEROUS donations are helping motorcyclists from the charity Blood Bikes stay safer on the roads – thanks to the purchase of innovative new gear. The small army of riders in Dumfries and Galloway who give up their time transporting blood and test materials have become the very first team in the whole of the UK to be kitted out with potentially

aSCHOOLCHILDREN in Wigtownshire are getting creative as they help to name a new women’s, children’s and sexual health services facility taking shape in Stranraer. Colourful, creative entries are already being received from schools, as part of work to help establish an identity for the dedicated, standalone Women, Children’s and Sexual Health Services Hub. Head of

AN APPROACH aimed at helping with the discharge of patients from hospital has expanded. The Discharge Lounge which has been running at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary has now been scaled up – helping to ensure better patient flow within the hospital. Clinical Nurse Manager Anne Allison said: “We first introduced the Discharge Lounge at

A GROUP has been established with the aim of promoting safe and effective use of medicines throughout Dumfries and Galloway. The Medicines Safety Group is a sub-group of the Area Drug and Therapeutics Committee (ADTC), which has a focus on improving and maintaining the quality of systems and processes associated with prescribing, administering, dispensing and

A GARDEN project benefiting patients at a mental health hospital has been praised at a national awards event. The successful project at Glencairn Ward at Midpark Hospital in Dumfries became a reality thanks to partnership working with staff and inmates at Dumfries Prison, and has now received a ‘Highly Commended’ award for Inpatient Care in