Anger at closure of NHS dementia unit

THE closure of a dementia unit has been described as “ridiculous” by a former worker.

Darataigh in Stranraer has been shut down, meaning a round trip of 150 miles to visit loved ones moved to Dumfries.

A petition failed to change the ruling made by NHS Dumfries and Galloway and now a mental health care assistant who worked at the facility until its November closure has hit out at the decision.

She said: “It’s such a waste. It is needed – people are now being put to the Dalrymple ward at Galloway Community Hospital to be assessed for dementia, but it’s not set up for that.”

NHS Dumfries and Galloway is in the midst of a six-month consultation period on dementia care in the west of the region, with an emphasis being placed on care at home.

The worker continued: “My mum had dementia and I took her in for three months. It was very hard. Some of the people being asked to look after loved ones are in their 70s and 80s.”

Irene Colliar’s husband George has had Alzheimer’s for 12 years and spent three of those in Darataigh. Irene, from Stranraer, said: “Darataigh was wonderful for Ian and really calmed him down to the point where he could go into a home. It should still be there, even if it’s just for respite.”

An NHS Dumfries and Galloway spokesperson said: “The Darataigh unit provides NHS intermediate dementia care.

“However, demand for this type of service has been declining over a number of years. Advice from the clinical teams who specialise in dementia care is that such a service is unlikely to address future demand.”