Roxburghe House In Patient Unit

Roxburghe House
Roxburghe House is a purpose built specialist palliative care unit staffed by a dedicated team.  People are admitted to the unit for short periods of time for the management of problems associated with advanced illness.  The multi professional team also provide care that is supportive and dignified when it is recognised that a person is dying.

Who is in the team?

We have a committed multidisciplinary team (MDT) consisting of doctors nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation assistants, dietician, volunteers, pharmacy staff, chaplain, complementary therapist, lymphoedema specialist nurse and family support workers.  Team members will work with patients and families according to their needs, with the aim of improving quality of life.

What will happen if I am admitted to Roxburghe House?

When you arrive in Roxburghe House a nurse and doctor will meet with you to assess your symptoms and problems.  Together with you, they will agree a plan for your treatment and care.

Other members of our multidisciplinary team may also take part in your assessment according to your needs.  Some patients will benefit from input from our rehabilitation team.  The aim of the rehabilitation team is to help you live as actively as possible for as long as possible.

Within two weeks of your admission, your doctor and nurse will meet with you and your family to discuss how things are going, and agree a future plan for your care.

Going home

One of our main aims in Roxburghe House is to enable patients to get home once their symptoms are better. The team may ask to visit your house to see whether any extra equipment or services will make it easier for you and your family to manage once you are back home.

Our pharmacy team will discuss medicines with you and your family to make sure that you understand your medicines and how to take them.  They may also contact you local chemist and GP Practice Pharmacist.

Help and support once you are at home is provided by your GP and district nurse. If required a Macmillan nurse and social services may also be involved.  We will co-ordinate your discharge with these colleagues to try to make going home as safe and supported as possible.

Moving on to another place of care

During your admission to Roxburghe House your symptoms may stabilise but you may not be well enough to return home.  If this happens to you, we can discuss with you and your family how best to continue to support you in another place, for example in a care home, or a community hospital.

End of life care

For those who are near the end of life who are not able to be at home Roxburghe House provides a supportive environment for people who are dying so that they are as comfortable and dignified as possible.  The team also work hard to support families at this time.

Accommodation

Roxburghe House can accommodate 24 patients in 12 single rooms and 4 shared bays, each with 3 beds. The unit is divided into 2 wings, East and West. Single rooms are allocated on the basis of individual patient need.
 

Carers are welcome to participate in all aspects of patient care.  We have facilities for some relatives to stay overnight.

Roxburghe House Sanctuary
Roxburghe House Sanctuary

Facilities

For patients:
  • Sky TV is available in the main lounge
  • A TV is available at each bed
For carers/visitors:
  • Tea and coffee is available at a small cost
  • Facilities for relatives to stay overnight. Please speak to your nurse to see if this is possible.
  • Children’s “Den” play room
For patients and carers/visitors:
  • WiFi for patient and carer use is free throughout the building
  • A range of complementary therapies are available
  • Sanctuary space for quiet reflection
  • Access to the garden areas surrounding Roxburghe House where there are seating areas for use when weather allows
  • Free parking in the grounds of Royal Victoria Hospital
  • Disabled parking spaces are available close to Roxburghe House
NHS Tayside has a No Smoking Policy for all of its sites.
Roxburghe House Children's Play Room
Children's "Den" Play Room

Visiting

Visitors are welcome between 2pm and 8pm.  Visiting at other times can be discussed with the nurse in charge.  

Children are very welcome to visit.  We recognise that dealing with illness can be difficult for families and we encourage children to make use of our children’s “Den” playroom.  We ask that adults supervise any children using the Den.

When phoning for updates it would be preferable to call after 11am.

Valuables

It is not advisable to bring valuables or large sums of money into Roxburghe House.  Responsibility can only be accepted for the safe keeping of a patient’s money and valuables if they are handed over to a member of staff and an official receipt is provided.

Medication

Please bring in medicines that are currently being used.  Some of these medicines may be used whist you are in Roxburghe House.
HM Queen Elizabeth II black and white
NHS Tayside Logo White
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

1926 - 2022