POSITIVE changes are being reported at the Galloway Community Hospital as a result of a commitment to recruitment and the upskilling of staff.
Health bosses this week said that over the past 12 months there has been a push to strengthen staff numbers and a greater emphasis on developing roles within departments.
More rural hospital doctors have been recruited into substantive posts and a new clinical director/medical lead has been appointed.
Further successes include the appointment of several newly qualified nursing staff at the Garrick Ward, alongside an acting senior charge nurse and another nurse to support them.
Meanwhile, the Dalrymple Ward has a newly appointed senior charge nurse and another senior nurse, as well as several newly qualified nurses.
Within day surgery, the team continue to increase the theatre lists and delivering increasing number of scopes.
Assistant general manager Jason Jordan said: “We have an outstanding team of staff working at the Galloway and every effort is being made to deliver a first class service.
“Working together, we have placed a greater emphasis on developing our staff and bringing out the best of their skills and attributes, and, hands down, this is working.
“It was an extremely busy 2024 for the Galloway and, as we go forward into 2025, we are all committed to working with colleagues across the whole of the organisation and at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.
“We have experienced a number of success stories, including the training of three staff to become anaesthetic nurses in our theatre and the creation of a new dermatology post.
“Also, the Emergency Department has recently appointed three emergency nurse practitioners to provide 24/7 provision.”
Katie McColm was recently appointed as the hospital’s clinical nurse manager and she said: “Everyone is working together to upskill our staff and ensure that we are working in collaboration with our colleagues at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary and in our communities.
“We are not only improving the quality of service provision locally but we are ensuring that the Galloway area is a great place to work for all of our multi-disciplinary staff.”
