A CHALLENGING period lies ahead for the corporate body responsible for the strategic planning of health and social care across the whole of Dumfries and Galloway.
A new-look Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB) has now assembled amid great financial challenges and serious pressures on systems – and it is led by a new Chair in the form of Andy McFarlane.
Andy said: “I am delighted to take on this role and hope to make a positive impact.
“I would firstly like to record my thanks to the former chair Laura Douglas for her contribution and passion for service integration and the difference that can be made by working in partnership.
“I look forward to building on the achievements of the Board and those working across vital services to make positive change happen.
“We continue to face significant challenges in health and social care not only in Dumfries and Galloway but across Scotland and change will take time and there is so much still to do, to deliver the level and quality of provision that this region deserves.”
Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB) is responsible for the planning and commissioning of the vast majority of health and all adult social care services within the region.
Its directions are implemented by Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership (DGHSCP) which is a separate corporate body featuring the NHS and local authority as statutory partners, working together with the third and independent sectors.
Acknowledging the very significant challenges currently facing health and social care, and the work continually taking place to improve provision and meet local need, Andy said: “It is crucial that we all work together to involve the public and staff through meaningful engagement, in particular in relation to the Right Care Right Place: Bed-Based Intermediate Care consultation and the review of maternity services in Wigtownshire.
“As the new chair of the IJB, my aim to support the delivery of safe and deliverable health and social care models of care for the communities that we serve, that are fit for future generations.”
Mr McFarlane previously served as senior police officer in England before moving to Dumfries and Galloway with his wife in 2006.
As an elected member with Dumfries and Galloway Council, he serves as a councillor for Ward 3 Dee and Glenkens.
Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership Chief Officer Julie White said: “I welcome Andy as Chair of the Integration Joint Board.
“At the same time as Andy’s appointment there are a number of new additions to the IJB, who are set to bring their experience, knowledge and perspectives to help take forward this work.
“I look forward to working with the new Board, addressing the challenges faced by health and social care.”
Several new additions are among the voting members on Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board, with a voting membership comprising of Greg Black, Ian Carruthers, Kim Dams (Vice Chair), Rhianna Davies-McCrorie, Gwilym Gibbons, Chrissie Hill, Vicky Keir, Denis Male, Andy McFarlane and Paula Stevenson. Substitutes for voting members are Karen Carruthers, Bill Irving, Andy Ferguson, Gail MacGregor, David Slater and Carolyne Wilson.
