At the Biggart Hospital, each ward has a consultant who carries out a weekly ward round.
Doctors are available on the ward from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Advanced Nurse Practitioners provide cover from 5pm to 9am and throughout the weekend.
The wider team includes a range of health and care professionals who work together to support your recovery:
- Nurses
- Occupational therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Speech and language therapists
- Podiatrists
- Specialist nurses
- Care at home team
- Social workers
The team meets once a week to review each patient’s progress and plan for their discharge.
We may:
- contact you to discuss plans for your discharge
- invite you to attend a discharge planning meeting once our assessments are complete
Nursing team
Each ward has a team of:
- nursing assistants
- staff nurses
- deputy charge nurses
- senior charge nurses
The nursing team will:
- support you with your everyday activities
- encourage you to be as independent as possible during your stay
We welcome open communication and are happy to provide updates on the patient’s progress. Please understand that staff nurses may be carrying out other essential duties, but they will attend to you as soon as they can.
The nursing team works closely with all other professionals to:
- monitor progress
- deliver treatment plans
- help patients regain confidence and independence
Occupational therapists (OTs)
Occupational therapists (OTs) will support you to take part in the daily activities you want, need, or are expected to do.
This support can include:
- practising everyday tasks
- helping you to problem solve any difficulties
- providing equipment to make activities easier and safer
- recommending adaptations to your home
OTs assess tasks such as:
- getting washed
- getting dressed
- preparing food
- using the toilet
An Occupational Therapist will meet with you to understand how you were managing at home before your admission. They may also speak with your family to gather any additional information that could help support your care.
They will carry out a range of assessments to see how you manage your daily routines. After this, you may continue to be supported by an Occupational Therapy Assistant for further practice and rehabilitation.
If the assessments show that you would benefit from any equipment, this will be discussed with you and your family, and a referral will be made to the appropriate team.
The assessments may include:
- Transfer assessment
- Washing and dressing assessment
- Kitchen assessment
- Home visit
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and not everyone will require the same assessments. Each person’s needs are individual, and the Occupational Therapy team will tailor the assessment to your specific circumstances.
You can contact the Occupational Therapy department at Biggart directly on 01292 665752.
Staff are available in the hospital Monday to Friday, although they may not always be in the office. A secure answering machine is in place, so please leave a message if your call cannot be answered, and a member of the team will return your call.
Physiotherapy
We provide physiotherapy care within the ward to help improve your mobility, build strength, and enhance your movement so that you can:
- carry out daily tasks
- enjoy your hobbies
- work towards your personal goals
When you arrive at Biggart Hospital, you will be assessed by a member of the physiotherapy team. This assessment helps us understand your needs, plan your rehabilitation journey, and identify what will be required for your discharge.
Where possible, your physiotherapy sessions will take place in the ward’s gym area.
Your physiotherapy may include:
- walking re‑education
- strengthening exercises
- balance exercises
- functional tasks to support everyday activities
- exercise classes delivered within the ward
- education on falls prevention to help you stay safe and confident
We use a range of walking aids and equipment to help you work towards your personal goals.
The physiotherapy team is available Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. Outwith these times, patients are encouraged to continue practising exercises and activities with support from our colleagues on the ward.
If you have any questions or concerns when the physiotherapy team is not available, please speak to the nursing staff and a member of the team will get back to you.