A SCHEME to deliver additional beds for the elderly in care homes and sheltered housing complexes is running below capacity in a cost-cutting move, it has been revealed.
The region’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) commissioned 31 “flexible beds” 18 months ago as part of the ‘Right Care, Right Place’ health campaign, and these beds were intended to provide intermediate care for elderly patients for up to six weeks.
Flexible beds were to be the ideal solution for people needing short-term support after being released from hospital before returning home, or for those who need palliative and end of life care, and in some cases they could be used as emergency and planned respite for carers.
However, just 22 of those beds are currently in use.
With the health service under immense pressure and hopsital bed blocking a constant issue, there have been calls for the other nine commissioned beds to be utilised – however health chiefs have put the brakes on this move.
A report due to be tabled at Dumfries and Galloway Council’s social work committee next Wednesday reads: “Positive discussions have been held with a number of care home operators and sheltered housing providers who are interested in providing nine more flexible beds.
“However, in March 2025, the Social Care Financial Recovery Group advised that the number of flexible beds should be paused at 22 and further beds should be commissioned following a review of the impact of this new model of care provision to ensure that it provides value for money in meeting the needs of older people.”
This development will likely anger Stranraer and the Rhins Councillor Willie Scobie and Dee and Glenkens Councillor Dougie Campbell, who requested an update on the number of flexible beds that had been purchased in the first year of the Right Care, Right Place operations.
The council report reveals that just one of the targeted three beds have been implemented in Councillor Scobie’s ward, while just two out of a planned five are in place for the Stewartry.
Two flexible beds were also targeted for lower Annandale and Eskdale, but none have been set up there.
The council report on the issue states: “The flexible bed-based model is an integral part of the Right Care, Right Place (RCRP) programme with the fundamental principle of providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time, supported by services tailored to meet individual needs.”
