COMMUNITY HOSPITALS IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

That this House notes the contents of NHS Dumfries and Galloway's consultation document, Your NHS - Your Future Care; believes that the preferred option, which would result in the closure of Moffat, Langholm, Kirkcudbright, Lochmaben and Thornhill community hospitals, is widely unpopular with the respective local communities and fundamentally disregards the rural remoteness of parts of the region and the invaluable and high quality of care provided by these facilities; would welcome the involvement of other statutory bodies, private providers and voluntary organisations where necessary in the redevelopment of these hospitals; and hopes that NHS Dumfries and Galloway's preferred option for closures does not go ahead and that these vital, locally-delivered community NHS services are redeveloped instead.