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'People are having to spend nights in corridors'

Molly ArmstrongBBC Scotland
News imageGetty Images A hospital bed in a corridorGetty Images
The head of health and social care in Dumfries and Galloway said services were under severe pressure

The head of a health and social care partnership in south-west Scotland has issued a warning about the pressures facing services.

In a public video message, Gavin Marr highlighted significant financial challenges affecting both NHS Dumfries and Galloway and Dumfries and Galloway Council.

He said the situation was unsustainable with people being treated in the "wrong locations" or having to spend the night in hospital corridors.

The pressures have led to stricter criteria for awarding social care packages and reviews of existing care to ensure support goes to those most in need.

The chief executive of Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership (DGHSCP) said growing demand for social care exceeded available funding, creating knock-on effects across the system.

"People are being treated in the wrong locations or sometimes having to spend nights in corridors," he said.

"Creating more hospital capacity or asking staff to continue to work outwith their normal role is not the answer to this problem."

News imageNHS Dumfries and Galloway A man in a suit smiles at the cameraNHS Dumfries and Galloway
Gareth Marr said the current situation was "unsustainable"

Marr said that hospital was not really "the best or safest place to be when you no longer need to be there".

"This situation is not sustainable and it needs to be addressed," he added.

He said the public could help by caring for themselves and others.

"I'm very aware that the vast majority of people and their families are already doing everything they can to support recovery at home or in the community," he said.

"We see that commitment every day and we're hugely grateful to them and to the thousands of unpaid carers in our region.

"It's the kind of personal effort and partnership that our system depends on."

News imageA sign reading welcome to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary in front of a tree and some lamp posts leading up to some hospital buildings in the distance
The health board said the emergency department at Dumfries Infirmary was operating "beyond capacity"

He also asked for public understanding of the situation.

"Please support our employees, they are working under enormous pressure and have no direct control over the wider issues affecting the system," he added.

He also appealed to people to ease the pressure on services by contacting their pharmacy for minor conditions and using NHS Inform or calling NHS 24 on 111.