Cauldshiels Ward (Borders General Hospital)

What we do:
Cauldshiels Ward provides inpatient assessment services for older people with dementia.

Area covered:
Borders-wide

About our services:
The assessment helps to determine the future support required by the patient and their carer or family, and how and where it should be provided. Cauldshiels is situated on the ground floor at the rear of the BGH. It consists of 24 beds, 23 being assessment beds the other designated as a respite bed.

Philosophy of Care
Cauldshiels philosophy is the promotion of a sense of general well being for all our patients. This is achieved by generally seeing the patient and communicating with them as one human being to another rather than as a nurse to a patient.
We aim to offer a good quality of care which facilitates this sense of well being but still recognising that at any stage of life people experience or need to express a range of emotions and feelings. We aim to encourage this without causing any detrimental effects to others.
Individuality is respected at all times and this involves valuing each patients unique history, tastes, preferences, vulnerabilities, strengths and needs.
All individuals are undergoing a process of life changes and we see it as our role in Cauldshiels to facilitate this process.
Patients are encouraged to be independent within their own capabilities and their potential encouraged. We aim to provide a stimulating environment, which maximises the patient's own potential.

The Team
Cauldshiels uses a multidisciplinary team approach to care. As well as medical and nursing input patients also have input into their care from Social Work, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Dentist, Optician, Dietitian, Pharmacist, Chiropodist, Speech & Language Therapist, Psychologist and Aromatherapist etc..
Cauldshiels is a very busy unit but because of this our work is varied and interesting and can still throw a challenge to even those who have been around for a long time. Patience and a good sense of humour are invaluable in the care of patients with dementia but the rewards are immeasurable.

Contact Details:
Borders General Hospital
Melrose
TD6 9BS
01896 827251 General Tel.
01896 827254 Fax