A VISIT to the region this week saw the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport praise the new Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.
Shona Robison visited the brand new £213 million DGRI as the first stop on a tour of health and social care facilities, including Newton Stewart Hospital and Galloway Community Hospital.
Speaking after Monday’s visit to the hospital at Garroch Loaning, on the outskirts of Dumfries, Ms Robison said: “I would like to thank all the staff and volunteers who welcomed me to the new DGRI.
“This fantastic hospital, backed by Scottish Government funding, combines the latest technology with a truly patient-centred approach.
“We are clear that patients in Scotland should be treated as quickly and effectively as possible, with the right care, in the right place at the right time.
“The new DGRI will help us achieve that for the people of Dumfries and Galloway.”
Ms Robison was met at DGRI by senior members of staff including NHS Dumfries and Galloway Chief Executive Jeff Ace and NHS Chief Operating Officer Julie White, who is also Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership Chief Officer.
And as she walked into the hospital’s spectacular atrium, she was greeted by some of the volunteers who provide a warm welcome and support to hundreds of people who visit the hospital every day.
Julie White said: “We were very happy to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to DGRI, and introduce her to our fantastic facility which was still being built during her last visit, and now is the most digitally enabled hospital in Scotland.
“We introduced Ms Robison to the automated patient check-in system which enables a faster check-in process for patients attending the outpatients service.
“We then visited the very impressive Critical Care Unit which has been essential in dealing with the most critically ill patients in the hospital over the winter period.
“The tour included a visit to one of our all single room hospital wards, where the cabinet secretary was able to witness the improved patient privacy and dignity, as well as see a demonstration of the digital equipment with the single patient bedrooms.
Finally, a visit to the Women and Children’s wing provided the Cabinet Secretary with a chance to see the fantastic facilities available for pregnant with and for children, as well as our dedicated outdoor play garden for children.
She added: “Along the way Ms Robison took time speaking with some of our very hard-working staff, and I believe gained an understanding of just how proud we are of our fantastic new hospital.
“Our staff have worked tirelessly over the initial weeks of the hospital opening to provide the best possible care during a very busy winter period.
Senior Charge Nurse Arlene Horsburgh said: “We’re just emerging from a particularly demanding time for the hospital, which has been part of a national picture, so it was great to receive recognition from the Cabinet Secretary for all of the great work the staff have been doing.”
After departing DGRI, the Cabinet Secretary visited Newton Stewart hospital where she met service users and staff, including community link workers.
And arriving in Stranraer, she toured Galloway Community Hospital where she learned of ongoing work.
Ms Robison said: “I am delighted to see services right across Wigtownshire being developed, particularly the extension of the ophthalmology, endoscopy and dialysis at the Galloway Community Hospital, meaning more people can be treated locally.
“The upgrading of endoscopy services has increased capacity and ensured more procedures can be carried out in Stranraer, improving the quality of health care for people right across the region.”
