Borders General Hospital

The hospital was commissioned to replace the ageing Peel Hospital at Caddonfoot near Galashiels.{{cite web|url=https://historic-hospitals.com/gazetteer/scottish-borders/|title=Peel Hospital, Clovenfords|date=26 April 2015 |publisher=Historic Hospitals|access-date=25 December 2018}} The South-East Regional Hospital Board approved plans for a new 375-bed hospital at the Huntlyburn site in 1986.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jotAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9KQMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4159%2C3443187 |title=No priority for Borders hospital |work=The Herald |date=18 December 1973 |page=11 |access-date=22 July 2017}} The new hospital was designed by Reiach & Hall{{cite web|url=http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/building_full.php?id=415938|title=Borders General Hospital|publisher=Dictionary of Scottish Architects|access-date=25 December 2018}} and built by John Laing & SonRitchie, p. 174 and was officially opened by the Queen in 1988.{{cite web|url=https://www.peeblesshirenews.com/news/13568226.bgh-celebrates-25-years-of-border-babies/|title=BGH celebrates 25 years of Border babies|date=19 October 2013|publisher=Peebleshire News|access-date=25 December 2018}}

The Planned Surgical Admissions Unit opened in March 2011, affording patients a more suitable environment for routine surgical procedures.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-12663990 |title=Borders General Hospital opens new surgical unit |work=BBC News| date=7 March 2011| access-date=13 June 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://www.peeblesshirenews.com/news/roundup/articles/2012/07/24/432512-planned-surgical-admission-unit-at-bgh-proves-a-success |title=Planned Surgical Admission Unit at BGH proves a success |work=Peeblesshire News| date=24 July 2012| access-date=13 June 2014}} The renal dialysis unit benefited from a major upgrade in June 2011 which included an increase in the number of dialysis machines from six to twelve.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-13854793 |title=Borders renal dialysis unit ready to open |work=BBC News| date=21 June 2011| access-date=13 June 2014}}

In January 2013 the Margaret Kerr Unit opened, providing dedicated palliative care facilities.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-20916018 |title=Margaret Kerr unit in Melrose admits first patients |work=BBC News| date=7 January 2013| access-date=13 June 2014}} The development provided a dedicated entrance, accommodation for patients and several large sun lounges.{{cite web|url=http://aitken-turnbull.co.uk/projects/health/the-margaret-kerr-unit/ |title=The Margaret Kerr Unit |publisher=Aitken Turnbull Architects |access-date=13 June 2014}} In March 2013 refurbishment to the stroke unit was completed.{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/border/update/2013-03-18/full-report-refurbished-stroke-unit-reopens-in-borders/ |title=Full report: Refurbished stroke unit reopens in Borders |work=STV News| date=18 March 2013| access-date=13 June 2014}} As part of a new outpatients department a new audiology suite opened in August 2013.{{cite news |url=http://www.peeblesshirenews.com/news/roundup/articles/2013/08/05/466743-audiology-suite-opens-at-borders-general-hospital-/ |title=Audiology suite opens at Borders General Hospital |work=Peeblesshire News |date=5 August 2013 |access-date=13 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714113631/http://www.peeblesshirenews.com/news/roundup/articles/2013/08/05/466743-audiology-suite-opens-at-borders-general-hospital-/ |archive-date=14 July 2014 |df=dmy-all }}

It is the main hospital in the Scottish Borders and has an accident and emergency department{{cite web|url=https://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/health/borders-general-hospital-experiencing-exceptional-pressures-in-a-e-1-4648795|title=Borders General Hospital experiencing 'exceptional pressures' in A&E|date=28 December 2017|publisher=Southern Reporter|access-date=25 December 2018}} and a Macmillan Cancer Unit.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-41239273|title=Borders General Hospital cancer centre expansion approved|date=12 September 2017|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 December 2018}}

The Borders General Hospital is accessible via the A6091 road, which links the A7 and the A68, known colloquially as the Melrose Bypass. It is roughly five minutes from the town of Galashiels and two minutes from the small town of Melrose via Chiefswood Road and is served by buses from all Border towns run by Borders Buses.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/our-services/allied-health-professionals/occupational-therapists/practice-education/transport/|title=Transport|publisher=NHS Borders|access-date=25 December 2018}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book|first=Berry|last=Ritchie|title=The Good Builder: The John Laing Story|publisher=James & James|year=1997}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• [http://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/our_work/inspecting_and_regulating_care/nhs_hospitals_and_services/nhs_borders/borders_general_hospital.aspx Healthcare Improvement Scotland inspection reports]

{{Hospitals in NHS Borders}}

{{authority control}}

Category:NHS Borders

Category:Hospital buildings completed in 1988

Category:Hospitals in the Scottish Borders

Category:NHS Scotland hospitals

Category:Melrose, Scottish Borders

Category:1988 establishments in Scotland