Palliative Care
in Dumfries and Galloway
Staff Area
The Alexandra Unit (Ward B1)
Named in honour of Princess Alexandra who opened the first unit in the “old” hospital, the “Alex unit” is an 8-bed specialist palliative care unit within Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary (Ward B1). Patients are accepted for symptom control, psychosocial support and end of life care (care in last days of life). It is not a long-stay unit, but people’s needs and length of stay will be assessed on an ongoing, individual basis.
The lead nurses and doctors are shown below – there is also input from the hospital Allied Health Professionals including Physiotherapy, Dieticians, Occupational therapy, Psychology, Social Work and Spiritual Care.
Kelly Lumsden
Senior Charge Nurse
Laura Innes
Deputy Charge Nurse
"I have symptoms...so have come into the Alex Unit. I have had this before and know they can sort it out. The staff here are great and do their best to support me to get home as quickly as possible."
Dr Sarah Pickstock
Consultant Palliative Medicine
Dr Ruth Morrison
Associate Specialist Palliative Medicine
Dr Chamila Nagodavithana
Specialty Doctor Palliative Medicine
Dr Mark Miller
Specialty Doctor Palliative Medicine
How To Refer
Patients can be referred from the hospital, as well as directly from GPs, MacMillan nurses, other community providers and out of area professionals. To refer a patient for admission, please call the consultant / associate specialist directly through switchboard (01387 246 246).