Borderers are being asked what matters most to them in the delivery of healthcare services, as their NHS board’s leadership acknowledges it is time to start doing things differently.

The Chief Executive of NHS Borders says the board has never before faced challenges on the scale it is now experiencing.

Ralph Roberts is calling for Borders communities to come together at public engagement sessions across the region to tell board leadership what matters most to them to help set priorities.

Residents in each Borders locality will be able to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the planning and delivery of local healthcare services directly with a member of NHS Borders Board Executive Team.

Attendees will also have a chance to hear about the current position of services and the work being done currently to address challenges.

The first public engagement session will take place in Peebles on Tuesday (14th November) afternoon, while four more sessions are planned later in the year in Hawick, Kelso, Galashiels and Duns.

Chief Executive Ralph Roberts says:

“We are currently facing unprecedented challenges in planning and delivering health services, and we know it’s time to start doing things differently.

“We need to know what matters to you so we can act on it, so we look forward to seeing you at your local Time for Change conversation and hearing what you have to say.”

‘Extreme pressures’ faced by NHS Borders

The ‘Time for Change’ conversations in NHS Borders come two months after the board’s leadership team told residents at its annual meeting that there is no end in sight to ‘extreme pressures’ facing local health services.

NHS Borders Chair, Karen Hamilton, said the region’s hospital has been operating at full capacity throughout the year which has impacted on the quality of care received by patients.

Just last week, NHS Borders warned of delays and long waits for treatment at the Borders General Hospital as a result of ‘extreme pressure’, as it pleaded with residents to use health services wisely.

In an urgent appeal issued at the end of October, the board also warned that scheduled operations may need to be cancelled at short notice to ensure the hospital can continue to provide vital services.

NHS Borders is one of three NHS boards currently escalated to stage 3 on the NHS Scotland Support & Intervention Framework on account of financial sustainability.

Recent board papers show NHS Borders has overspent by £11.07m in the first five months of 2023/24.

‘Time for Change’ sessions timetable:

• Tuesday 14th November (2:00pm-7:00pm) at Peebles Community Centre (Burgh Hall)
• Wednesday 15 November (2:00pm-6:30pm) at Heart of Hawick
• Monday 27 November (2:00pm-7:00pm) at Abbey Row Community Centre, Kelso
• Wednesday 29 November (2:00pm-7:00pm) at The Great Tapestry Discovery Room, Galashiels
• Monday 11 December (2:00pm-7:00pm) at Southfield Community Centre, Duns

 

Read more: Honest conversation needed as NHS Borders struggles on; NHS leader: NCS threatens smaller boards; NHS Borders reports financial progress

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