Welcome to Borders Specialist Dementia Unit (BSDU)

Borders Specialist Dementia unit is a twelve bedded inpatient ward for older adults with a diagnosis of Dementia experiencing an acute period of stress and distress. The ward functions as a dementia assessment unit and offers specialist care to support the person with dementia to manage their stress/distress symptoms.

The ward Provides:

• Psychiatric Assessment and physical health monitoring
• Person centred care planning
• Treatment planning
• Discharge Planning and support
• Carer’s support

All bedrooms are single rooms with en-suite bathrooms with a toilet and washing sink. The ward has two shared bath/shower rooms.

There is:

• X2 sitting room/servery areas
• X1 quiet room
• X1 sensory room (in development)
• A garden space

We advise visitor’s and carer’s that smoking is not permitted within the ward and hospital grounds.

The front door to the ward is locked. This is for patient safety, not to restrict your movements.

Our dedicated Team is made up of:

• Charge Nurses
• Staff Nurses
• Health Care Support Workers
• Activity Co Ordinator

The ward adopts a multidisciplinary team approach to patient care to provide quality all round care. We do this in a safe environment that promotes physical and mental well-being. At ward rounds your individual treatment plan will be reviewed, discuss progress and discharge goals.

Weekly MDT’s/ward rounds are attended by:

• Ward Nurse
• Physiotherapy (When required)
• Occupational Therapy (When required)
• Social worker (once allocated/if appropriate)
• Consultant Psychiatrist
• Junior Doctors/relevant medical staff.

Role of your named Nurse

During your stay at BSDU, you will be allocated a named nurse. This is a qualified Nurse who will be responsible for co-ordinating your care a treatment plans and will discuss this with you and your relatives.

The named Nurse will give you a getting to know me document and ask either yourself or your Relative/Carer to fill this out.

Ward Programme

Patients on the ward are encouraged to take part in therapeutic activities. The ward activity co-ordinator will take the lead in organising these activities. Elderflowers and therapist’s visit the ward regularly. The ward currently has input from an Art Therapist.

Visiting

Borders specialist Dementia unit has open visiting, discuss this with staff when you would like to visit.

Most people in Borders Specialist dementia Unit are here Informally. This means they are generally free to leave if they wish. If they did want to leave they would be assessed by a doctor. Sometimes patients who are ill have limited insight into their Illness, refuse to have treatment and present as risk to themselves or others. In these circumstances, detention under a section of the Mental health (Care and treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003 will be considered in the best interest of the patient. Ask a member of staff if you would like more information about this.

What happens when I arrive?

One of the nurses will take you to your room and if you are feeling well enough show you around the unit.

You will be given some information re Dementia standards which are:

• Right to diagnosis
• Right to be regarded as a unique individual and treated with dignity and respect
• Right to access care and treatment
• Right to be as independent as possible
• Right to carers who are educated in Dementia
• Right to end of life care that respects my wishes

Meal times

These are important times of the day and all non-essential staff activity stops to allow staff the time to assist and support patients during mealtimes.

Upon admission staff will ask you food preferences and inform you where meals and snacks are served.
If you or your relatives require further information, including information on what food and fluids can be brought into hospital for you, a Catering Services leaflet is available from staff.

If at any time you would like to make a comment regarding the catering service please inform staff who will provide you with the appropriate form.

Visiting times

Borders Specialist Dementia Unit has open visiting just discuss with the staff when you would like to visit
During your stay plans will be made for going home/ moving to other accommodation These will be discussed with you and your relative. The transition from hospital to home should be a smooth process.

Confidentiality

Staff try to develop therapeutic relationships with their patients. it may be helpful to know that the staff will wish to keep your relative fully informed about your care. However they can only do this if the patient agrees.

Benefits

Your stay in hospital may affect your benefit. if you need advice we can arrange a visit from a social worker or welfare benefits officer.

Personal property

NHS Borders cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to a patient or visitors property. That is except for money or small valuable handed over for safe keeping for which a receipt has been obtained.

We can keep some money for each patient but where possible large sums of money and valuable should be left at home.

Other information

We have an observation policy in place:

• this is to keep you safe at a time when you are feeling unwell
• you will be assessed by a doctor to decide the level of contact with staff you need
• this will change with treatment. We will involve you, your family and friends as much as possible

You can ask for more information on the observation policy from the nursing staff at any time.

We have several surveillance cameras outside the building. This is to make sure that safety and security of all patients, staff and visitors to the ward

Can I have my washing done?

There is a washing machine in the unit which you can use. We can send your clothes to the laundry at the BGH but they need to be marked with your name. Relatives can also take laundry home if they wish.

We welcome your views

We hope you will feel well cared for during your stay in the ward. We want you to say if you have any worries. It is also helpful if you want to make any suggestions.

You will be sent a patient and carer satisfaction questionnaire after you leave hospital. We welcome your comments and feedback. This helps us address and change practices if need be.

If you have any comments, suggestions or complaints please as any member of staff for help:

• Ward Contact Details
• BSDU Ward Office Telephone tel:01896 827131