Click for link of map/directions

The above map shows you how to get to Elliot Road. To find Royal Victoria/Roxburgh House, please continue to the end of Elliot Road where you will find the entrance to the grounds and the car park.

Roxburghe House is a purpose built Palliative Care Unit (or hospice) and is part of the NHS. The unit offers Specialist Palliative Care to patients with cancer and other illnesses.

Patients can be admitted for short periods for relief from pain and other symptoms. The staff provides support to help people adapt to their illness with an emphasis on quality of life.

The environment is relaxed and welcoming for all patients, their carers and friends.

Accommodation

Roxburghe House can accommodate 24 patients in 12 single rooms and 4 bays (single sex), each with 3 beds. The unit is divided into 2 wings, East and West.

Single rooms are allocated by Medical Assessment and patients may be transferred to one of the bays during their stay.

Carers are welcome to participate in patient care and a room is available for a relative or carer to stay overnight.

Family Room

Where a carer would like to provide most of the patient care in a homely environment, a family room is available. This facility enables patient and family to remain together and be cared for by the family with support from the Staff Team. If appropriate referral to this room can be accessed after admission to the unit.

Patient Referral

Patients may be referred to the hospice by their General Practitioner or Hospital Specialist.

Multidisciplinary Team and Your Care

Roxburghe House has a committed team of doctors and nurses who specialise in the control of pain and other symptoms. An occupational therapist, physiotherapist, pharmacist, chaplain, family support service, dietician and social worker provide additional support. Both medical and nursing students and occupational therapy students work within the unit to learn about the care we provide.

Consultants from the Cancer Centre and the Pain Control Service at Ninewells Hospital visit or liaise with staff on a regular basis.

All members of the team will be please to answer any questions that may arise.

Information booklets on specific treatments

Managing pain and other symptoms can be accessed on request or through the information room housed in Macmillan Day Care.

Each patient has a Named Nurse who leads a small team of nurses in providing individual care. Involvement from patients and their carers is encouraged in planning all aspects of care. Special lifting equipment may be used at times when patients are unable to move without assistance.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

CPR can be discussed with the doctor or nurse. An information leaflet is available on request.

Visiting

Visiting is encouraged in the afternoons and evenings between 1400hrs and 2000hrs. Visiting at other times can be discussed with the Nurse-in-Charge.

Children are welcome, but must be supervised.

Valuables

Patients are discouraged from bringing valuables or large sums of money into the hospice. Responsibility can only be accepted for the safe keeping of patient’s cash and valuables if they are handed over to a member of staff and an official receipt received.

Medication

It would be helpful to bring in medicines that are currently being used. Some of these medicines may be used whilst the patient is in Roxburghe House with the consent of the patient or carer.

Care of Patient’s Clothing

Facilities are available for the cleaning of patient’s clothes, if carers do not wish to take them home. It is necessary for clothing to be clearly labeled before this service can be used.
Please ask staff for further information.

Facilities

A ‘night cap’ is offered to patients in the evening. Additional alcoholic drinks are limited to pre-meal ‘appetisers’.
Tea and coffee is available for a small cost to relatives. The machine is situated in the patient’s dining room between both wings.

A designated area is available for patients who smoke. This area is for patients only.

A trolley service is available for newspapers, magazines and sweets, each weekday morning.

Some Important Rules

Visitors are requested not to smoke.
Mobile phones should be switched off on entering the building.
The kitchen area is for staff only. Patients and relatives are not permitted in this area.

Enquiries

Relatives and friends may telephone at any time. It is, however, preferred if routine enquiries are made in the afternoon or evening. If you or your relative wish to speak with a doctor, therapist, chaplain, social worker or support person, please ask a nurse who will arrange this for you between 0930hrs-1630hrs, on weekdays.

Discharge

One of our main aims in Roxburghe House is to discharge patients home if they are well enough following rehabilitation and control of symptoms.

We will maintain close links with the GP, District Nurse, Macmillan Nurse, Social Worker, Minister or Priest and involve them in discharge planning. After discharged home, Day Care may be available to monitor symptoms and offer support.

Physiotherapist

A physiotherapist service is available for patients. The physiotherapist completes an individual assessment to plan appropriate treatment. Treatment may be for a chest infection, breathlessness, muscle weakness, difficult walking, pain or anxiety.

The physiotherapist will provide treatment on the ward or in a small rehabilitation room adjoining Roxburghe House. Treatment will always be in partnership with the patient, working towards each person’s own goals.

Occupational Therapist

The occupational therapist (O.T.) aims to help patients achieve their highest possible level of independence with daily living tasks. This may include looking at self-care problems, carrying out tasks at home or social and leisure aspects of each patient’s life. The O.T. can also carry out relaxation training, stress management and teach different ways of trying to conserve energy.

Prior to discharge from Roxburghe House a visit to the patient’s home may be arranged to assess the home situation. Following this, liaison with social work colleagues may take place regarding possible equipment and adaptations required at home.

Pharmacy Services

The pharmacist and pharmacy technician will work together with the patient and other members of the multidisciplinary team to make sure every patient gets the most from their prescribed medicines.

The pharmacy technician will ensure all the medicines prescribed during each patient’s stay are readily available.The pharmacist will regularly review individual patient’s medicines during their stay and is available to discuss any queries.

When discharge home is planned, the pharmacist will discuss medicines with the patient and family and may liaise with the local chemist and GP Practice Pharmacist to ensure all the patient’s needs are met.

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