DROP in events planned as part of the consultation on four of the region’s cottage hospitals are being postponed until after the General Election.
Health officials say rules around the pre-election period mean that gatherings, such as those planned for Moffat today, are not able to go ahead in the run-up to July 4.
Nor are they permitted to promote the consultation during this time.
Director of strategic planning David Rowland said: “A consultation on behalf of Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board on options for cottage hospitals in Moffat, Thornhill, Kirkcudbright and Newton Stewart began last Friday May 17.
“A total of 15 in-person events taking place across the region had been scheduled and promoted, but rules around the period leading up to a General Election now mean that these cannot go ahead.
“None of these drop-in sessions will now not take place before July 4. And while the consultation itself won’t be promoted, all the materials including the online survey and downloadable forms will continue to remain available at the website https://dghscp.co.uk/rcrp-consultation/”
He stressed they will recommence “immediately” after the General Election, and asked for understanding of the need to comply with the election rules.
Offering an update, Mr Rowland added: “As of May 22, we had already received 99 completed surveys. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed thus far and want to reassure them that the views they have offered will be shared with the IJB as part of our analysis of the feedback received during consultation.
“All completed surveys received during the pre-election period and those submitted once we return to active consultation will also be included in that analysis.
“At that point consideration will be given to what extension may be required to the consultation period – so as to be able to accommodate rescheduled in-person drop-in events.”
