Officials fear the pressure on the region’s health and social care system is as bad as it’s ever been.
People are being asked to be as “accommodating, flexible and supportive as possible” when it comes to getting a loved one home from hospital, freeing up beds.
The plea has been issued by the deputy chief officer of Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, Nicole Hamlet.
She said: “Very honestly, we’re in a very tough situation at the moment.
“I don’t think we’ve ever seen this sort of pressure on our system at this time of year – not even during the worst of Covid.
“If we’re going to pull through this, it’s by everyone in the region recognising the seriousness of the situation and working together to get us through these winter months.”
Ms Hamlet asked people visiting hospitals and other NHS facilities to wear a face covering to stop the spread of infection and not enter if they feel unwell.
And anyone aged over 50 should book a free flu and Covid jag at https://vacs.nhs.scot/csp
She added: “People are likely aware that one of the biggest challenges our system faces is having enough carers to support people to get home or continue living in their own home.
“If you have a relative or loved one who is currently delayed in hospital due to a shortage of care packages, you can help by being as accommodating, flexible and supportive as possible when trying to get your loved one home.
“Arrangements may not be ideal at this challenging time but it’s not to anyone’s benefit if your loved one is spending time in a hospital bed when they could be at home.
“We need to appreciate the many hours that unpaid carers already provide and the fact that without them our health and social care system would simply not be able to function.
“We don’t want to add to the pressures already being faced by those individuals but, where families and friends can offer to do more, this would be met with a very genuine appreciation.
“In addition, we need to thank all the carers working tirelessly within social care and recognise the scale and value of the contribution they continue to make in the face of very significant challenge.”
Further advice and support is available at www.nhsinform.scot or by calling NHS24 on 111 or from medical practices and pharmacies.
