State of hospital lawns criticised

FRUSTRATIONS about the state of the lawns outside Annan Hospital have been circulating this week. Patients and visitors to the hospital say they have noticed a steady decline of the grass areas within the grounds of the Stapleton Road facility, with some going so far to describe its current state as ‘unsightly’ and a ‘disgrace’. One visitor to the hospital, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Annandale Observer: “The state of the land has gotten out of hand, the grass is so long now it’s unsightly and it looks completely unkept. “I’ve tried to complain to staff but they give you the regional NHS complaints number. “As someone who goes up there regularly it always makes me feel really c**p when I see it looking the way it does.” The discussion about the state of the grass areas continued online, but it soon emerged that the hospital grounds were a symptom of a much bigger problem with Newington Park, and the motte and Douglas Gardens were also highlighted. One resident commented: “When you look back at Annan in the 70s 80s and 90s it was always nicely kept. Well even up to ten years ago. “But what’s happened is there are too many pen-pushers and not enough workers. Money’s being wasted. “If you go by Annan Hospital, that is a disgrace.” Responding to patient’s concerns about the state of the grounds at Annan Hospital, a spokesperson for NHS Dumfries and Galloway said: “NHS Dumfries and Galloway is currently facing the unprecedented challenge of delivering £21.3 million in savings. This financial pressure requires difficult decisions, and one such decision has been to scale back grounds maintenance in order to protect funding for essential frontline health and care services. “We understand and appreciate the value that well-maintained grounds bring to patients, staff, and visitors alike. While current circumstances limit what can be done, we are actively exploring alternative approaches to improve the appearance of the estate in a more cost-effective way. “We hope the public will understand the need to prioritise resources toward direct patient care during this exceptionally challenging time, and we remain grateful for their continued support.”