We look forward to welcoming you to the Borders for your Practice learning experience. This document provides some additional information regarding local arrangements. Please consider this before attending your practice learning experience.  

 

Covid 19

Response flexes in accordance to the guidance at the time and you will be advised of the requirements in your area. All students are asked to contact Occupational Health on 01896 825982 for advice regarding Face fit masks and PPE training.  This must be undertaken every two years.

 

Information Technology 

Students can request an NHS Borders IT account through their practice learning environment. Access is not automatically granted and depends on the information systems required for each area. This IT account can be used to access the intranet which holds all the local policies.  

• Trakcare access is not granted until part 2 of your program contact C&PD.Office@borders.scot.nhs.uk
• Access to Trakcare is monitored using NHS Borders Fairwarning system
• additional e-learning is required for completion of local learnpro modules- access is arranged through contact with C&PD.Office@borders.scot.nhs.uk
• You can also utilise the computers available at the library and do not require a unique log on for this. Please see below for more information about the library services.

 

Library

You are welcome to use NHS Borders Library in the Education Centre. It provides comfortable space to study, WiFi, PCs, books, eResources and staff to help you to find the information you need.

You can register here - this will give you access to the online resources NHS Education for Scotland makes available, as well as access to the resources of NHS Borders Library.

Important Policies 

Whilst all policies can be accessed on the Intranet, find some key policies here

• NHS Borders operates a no smoking policy across all of its sites.
• Sickness absence must be reported to your learning environment as per their local policy as well as to the University – ensure ward areas have contact details for safe and wellbeing purposes. 
• Uniform policy is the same as the university and is home laundered. Please adhere to this at all times. 
  • Changing rooms are on the ground floor of the main hospital. There are lockers but these are not permanently allocated, it is first come first served. 
  • Changing facilities are available in the community hospitals. 
  • Some community areas do not use NHS uniforms but remain under a policy – contact your placement area for clarification.
• Right Decision service: Organisation | Right Decisions (scot.nhs.uk) Provides information about policies and education in NHS Borders.

  

Parking

Parking is free at NHS Borders. There are a limited number of parking places at the community sites and a number of car parks at the Borders General Hospital. Spaces directly to the front of the hospital and in front of the Education Centre and management headquarters are short stay at 4 hours only. There are long stay car parks on the site so please use these when on shift. Conditions are well identified through signage. 

 

Accommodation 

There is no designated accommodation for nursing students, however, if you contact bghaccommodation@borders.scot.nhs.uk they may be able to advise. 

 

Transport

Train services run regularly from Edinburgh Waverley to Galashiels where there are connecting buses to the Borders General Hospital. Alternatively stay on the train and alight at the Tweedbank terminus. The hospital is a 15 minute walk at a brisk pace. 

 

Canteen

Canteen services are available on site at the Borders General Hospital on the 1^st floor.There is a small RVS facility situated on the ground floor in the main entrance.  

 

There is also a cafe in the cricket pavilion in the grounds of the hospital serving fresh juices, salads, panini’s etc. There are facilities within or near the community hospital sites. 

 

Swipe card

Swipe card access is available for all those allocated to the BGH acute hospital. Please remember to return these when your finish your placement. To obtain your card go to the hospital administration office on the first floor between the hours of 9-5 and they will assign it. You must attend for this card with a member of staff from your allocated ward who will verify your placement.  

Please return swipe cards at the end of your placement

 

Other info

For area specific information or to arrange shifts please contact the learning environment in the first instance. Remember, wards can be very busy and you may not get an answer on first try so please try again later. 

 

An opportunity to have your voice heard!

We have a student forum open to all students which is your opportunity to speak up for the student experience and support NHS Borders to work for you. 

 

The Practice Education Facilitators (PEF)are contactable via a shared email so if you would like to contact them please email: PEFCHEFEnquiries@borders.scot.nhs.uk 

 

Important contacts

BGH Switchboard: 01896 826000 

Occupational Health: 01896 825982

PEF: PEFCHEFEnquiries@borders.scot.nhs.uk

 

Out of hours emergency support is available through each of the universities so please ensure you are familiar with the out of hours contact arrangements. There is always a Bleep holder manager for the hospital who can be accessed through BGH Switchboard in the event of an emergency if you are unable to contact University out of hours.