BECS - The Service

Borders Emergency Care Service (BECS) is the local GP Out-of-Hours Service provider in Borders. BECS employs a team of salaried GPs, Out-of-Hours Nurses, Evening Nurses who are supported by a team of Receptionists and Drivers.

The Out-of-Hours Service (OoH's) provides urgent care to patients who cannot wait until their own GP Surgery reopens.

The Evening Nurse Service provision is largely a planned care service delivered 7 days per week from 18.00 - 23.00 hrs across the 5 localities of Central, Tweeddale, Hawick, Kelso and Duns.

When is the Out-of-Hours period?

Cover is provided by this service Monday to Friday from 18.00 - 08.00 hrs, and throughout the weekend from the Primary Care Emergecy Centres (PCEC's). However, not all centres will be operational for this full period.

BECS covers 8 public holidays per year (including Christmas and New Year), which generally follows the NHS Borders public holiday dates.

What area is covered by BECS?

BECS covers the whole of the Scottish Borders area. Primary Care Emergecy Centres (PCEC's) are available at the following locations:

  • Borders General Hospital will cover central Borders and Tweeddale (including Innerleithen & Peebles area but excluding West Linton and also those patients registered with Biggar practice)

  • West Linton medical care is provided by Lothian Unscheduled Care Service. Nursing cover is provided by BECS for West Linton patients.

Peripheral Sites:

  • Hawick Community Hospital will cover South Borders (including Newcastleton)

  • Kelso Community Hospital will cover East Borders

  • The Knoll Hospital, Duns will cover East Borders (including Eyemouth)

  • Haylodge Hospital, Peebles (currently operates on public holidays only)

  • Bonnyrigg & the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh will cover West Linton patients (for medical / GP care)

The Peripheral sites will be open at specified times throughout the Out of Hours period.

How do I access the service?

If you need URGENT medical care when your local practice is closed, you should telephone NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.

You will speak to a Call Handler who will take some details from you and pass your call on to a Nurse Advisor. The Nurse Advisor will make an assessment and recommend a course of action. This will range from healthcare advice to receiving an appointment at your nearest centre.

You can also log onto http://www.nhs24.com/content/ for general health advice.