East Brig rehabilitation unit

Warning

NHS Borders 

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contact us on tel:01896 664430

"Information given on this site is not meant to take the place of a talk with your doctor or health worker."

Welcome to East Brig Ward

East Brig Ward is a 12 bedded in-patient unit for people aged 18-69 who have complex mental health care needs. Patients are referred to East Brig via the Community Rehab Team and are supported during both acute and rehabilitation phases of their recovery. Patient's length of stay varies but most people are likely to be with us for about 4 to 8 weeks.
  • Facilities on the ward:
  • twelve bedrooms - all are single occupancy with en-suite toilet and shower. Please note you may be
    required to change bedrooms during your stay.
  • we ask that you only bring in two small items of electrical equipment. This is to comply with health and safety issues
  • sitting room with television
  • kitchen areas with hot and cold drinks available all day
  • access to art and craft materials, games, etc.
  • a shelter which is the designated smoking area for patients. Smoking is not permitted anywhere else
    on the ward. Visitors are not permitted to smoke on NHS premises, including the grounds of the
    hospital
  • laundry facilities
  • gymnasium with supervised access via the ward physiotherapist
  • allotment area facilitating our gardening project
  • bikes for use to access community
  • DVD players and stereos are available on the ward and can be used to play your own music and films.

Whilst you are with us you will be allocated two key workers, including a Registered Mental Health nurse who will discuss any suggested treatments with you and help you make informed choices about the care you receive.

Your key workers are: _____________________________________


Your doctor is: ___________________________________________

Coming into hospital

When you arrive one of the nurses will show you to your bedroom and, if you are feeling well enough, also show you around the ward and introduce you to the ward team and other patients. Your name, date of birth and address will be checked on arrival and we will ask you some questions to help us care for you, including:

  • who your named person is or who we can contact about your admission
  • how you are feeling
  • what medications you are taking. Please bring all your medication into hospital
  • who you do and do not want to be given information over the telephone regarding your stay in hospital
  • You and your family or friends may ask any questions you may have at any time. A doctor will speak to you about how you are feeling soon after you come onto the ward. We will arrange a basic physical examination and take a blood sample to ensure you are in good physical health.

Ward Routine

What time are meals?

Meals are delivered daily to the ward by the catering services at the BGH. You will be asked to select your menu daily. Lunch arrives shortly after 12 mid day and dinner around 5pm. There are cereals and toast available for breakfast. There is a selection of sandwiches for supper time. Advice can be given with any special dietary requirements. If you would prefer to prepare and cook your own meals we would be happy to support you with this.

If you require adapted equipment or assistance to eat or drink please inform a staff member.

Who can I talk to?

All staff are available for you to talk to day or night. You will also be allocated a named nurse daily who will be available for 1:1 time. The nurse in charge and your allocated nurse will be identified on the patient information board.

Care Planning

During 1:1 time we work in partnership with you to identify specific recovery focused care plans to identify aspects of your care that we can support you with whilst in hospital. This is really important and formalises the basis of your stay in hospital and what treatments will be best suited for you.

The consultant psychiatrist and/or the team doctor will be available to review your care at least once a week. These meetings are called ward assessments or reviews and you will be supported and encouraged to participate in these.

When can I have visitors?

Visiting hours within East Brig are fairly flexible, we would request that visitors avoided mealtimes (11:30-12:30 and 16:30-17:30) as this is protected time for staff to engage and support clients with meal preparation and dietary intake.

The quiet room should be used during visits as visitors are not permitted to be in patient's bedrooms. Visitors should phone the ward to check you will be free to see them before coming in as you may have therapy or prior appointments.

Can I make phone calls?

  • You can make and receive phone calls on the patient payphone tel: 01896 66 44 38
  • Your family and friends can contact the ward on tel: 01896 66 44 22
  • You can also use your mobile phone on the ward. We ask that you do so in non-public areas of the ward and refrain from using the camera.

Will I be safe in hospital?

We have an observation policy in place on the ward. This is to keep you safe at a time when you are feeling unwell. We will work in partnership to decide the level of contact you will need with staff. This will change with treatment and we will involve you, your family or friends as much as possible.

The ward team work hard to care for people and to ensure that every patient feels safe within the ward
environment. If at any time you do not feel safe please discuss this with your named nurse/nurse in charge or the Senior Charge Nurse.

For the privacy of yourself and others we ask that you do not spend time in other patient's rooms. The ward is large enough for you to spend time with other patients in the communal areas.

Additionally:

  • ward care and comfort checks are carried out every few hours by staff, day and night
  • the front door is locked at night. This is for patient safety, not to restrict your movements 
  • to ensure safety and security of all patients, staff and visitors to the unit we have several surveillance cameras outside the building
  • no drugs or alcohol can be brought onto the ward. If there are suspicions that illegal substances have been brought in, nursing staff and the police can carry out searches and you may be discharged from hospital
  • Staff will help you put your belongings away on arrival to the ward. Any sharps and medication should be handed to nursing staff at this time for safe-keeping. We have a ward safe for valuables and a small amount of money.
  • We cannot hold large sums of money.

Going Home

When you are admitted we will identify an estimated discharge date, this helps to have an aim and goal to work towards and can be changed depending on your views and your recovery.

  • staff may encourage you to go on a series of 'passes' home in the run up to your discharge, for instance, overnight or for a few days with return to the ward to see how you got on
  • you will be able to plan going home with staff in small stages to make the transition home easier for you
  • additional support on discharge from the community mental health teams and other healthcare and
    voluntary services is available and can be arranged with your key worker
  • you will be given a 'Leaving Hospital' leaflet to take home with you to remind you of any important
    information and follow-up appointments

Other Information

You may need a fit note from your employer or the benefits agency while you are in hospital. Ask a member of staff if this is required. Your stay in hospital may affect your benefits depending on how long you are in hospital, we work closely with our colleagues in social services and will help you to access support if needed.

The ward team are always looking for ways to improve the service we deliver and we would be happy to listen to any suggestions made.

Useful Contact Numbers

East Brig tel:01896 66 44 22

Rehabilitation team tel:01896 664424

Huntlyburn ward tel:01896 827181 

NHS 24 tel:08454 24 24 24

Borders Addiction Service (Galashiels) tel:01896 66 44 30

Mental Health for Older Adults tel:01896 82 71 31

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry tel:01750 23 39 2

Social Work Services tel:01896 82 73 00

Welfare Benefits tel:01896 66 13 94

Homeless Team tel:01835 86 51 80

New Horizons Borders tel:01896 75 55 10

Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) tel:01896 75 97 46

Borders Independent Advocacy Service (BIAS) tel:01896 75 22 00

Self-help services

Bipolar Scotland

Galashiels Bipolar Self Help Group meets every 2nd Monday and is open to people with bipolar disorder and their families, friends and carers from anywhere in the Borders.

Meetings are held in New Horizons Borders, Unit 10b Galabank Mill, Galashiels TD1 1PR. No need for referral.

Opening Hours: Gala Self-Help Group meets 5.30-7pm
Phone: 01415 60 20 50
Email: info@bipolarscotland.org.uk
Website: http://www.bipolarscotland.org.uk/


Borderline

Borderline is a confidential help-line for people with mental health needs across the Scottish Borders. It offers emotional and listening support for people who are bereaved, depressed, anxious, lonely, isolated or distressed.

Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 7:00pm-10:00pm; Sat - Sun 6:00pm-10:00pm
Phone: (Freephone) tel:0800 027 44 66


Hearing Voices Network

If you hear voices, the Hearing Voice Network can help. We offer information, support and understanding to people who hear voices and those who support them.

Phone: tel:01142 71 82 10
Email: nhvn@hotmail.co.uk
Website: http://www.hearing-voices.org/


Samaritans

We know a lot about what can help you through tough times. We can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen. It doesn't matter who you are, how you feel, or what has happened. If you feel that things are getting to you, get in touch.

Phone: tel: 08457 90 90 90
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Website: http://www.samaritans.org/


Breathing Space

Anyone can feel down or depressed from time to time. You are not alone and talking about how you feel is a positive first step in getting help. So don't let problems get out of hand, phone Breathing Space where
experienced advisors will listen and provide information and advice.

Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs 6pm-2am; Fri-Sun 6pm-6am
Phone: 0800 83 85 87
Website: http://www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk/


Addaction

Our aim is to transform the lives of people affected by drug and alcohol problems. Not only do we help the
individual recover from their dependency, but we also offer support to those closest to them. Working with
families and loved ones forms a major part of Addaction's treatment ethos.

Phone: 01869 75 78 43
Website: http://www.addaction.org.uk/


Mind

We are here to support you to make informed choices. We will listen to you and try to understand all the issues you are facing. Then we will give you information that is relevant to you and your situation. Our teams can send out printed information to individuals in unmarked envelopes, or they can help guide you to information available on our website.

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm
Phone: tel: 0300 1 23 33 93
Email: info@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk


Talk to Frank

Frank helps you find out everything you might want to know about drugs (and some stuff you don't). Need some friendly, confidential advice? Talk to Frank.

Phone: tel: 0800 77 66 00
Email: frank@talktofrank.com
Website: www.talktofrank.com 


 

Editorial Information

Next review date: 31/08/2025

Author(s): Myatt G.

Author email(s): gillian.myatt@borders.scot.nhs.uk.

Reviewer name(s): Myatt G.