West of Scotland
Orthopaedics
Royal Alexandra Hospital
Health Board
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
General Information
Based in the town of Paisley, approximately 10 miles from Glasgow city centre, the hospital has provides trauma facilities for the local Renfrewshire area as well as providing cover for as far away as Oban and Argyll. The current facilities were built during the mid 1980s and consist of a ward block and various other ancillary buildings, connected by a series of glass corridors.
This Hospital covers a variety of areas including general medical and surgical services, trauma and emergency surgery centre. Day surgery is performed at the Vale of Leven Hospital. The hospital has around 750 beds and feautres a busy orthopaedic department. All children's services have been transferred to the Royal Hospital for Children, other than a limited out patient's service.
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Catering
There is a Royal Voluntary Services cafe and shop in the main entrance hall. There is also a canteen, which is open from 0830 to 1400. Paisley features a Junior Doctor's Mess on the 1st floor of the OPD/education block, at the opposite corner from the library. There is a cash machine adjacent to the general office and a post-box next to the RVS cafe.
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Orthopaedic Department
The orthopaedic department is based on level 3 of the 'surgical block. Ward 21 features mainly elective patients; ward 22 spinal fractures, general trauma, ED head injury beds; ward 23 is trauma receiving. Currently, ward 29 offers some day case beds for orthopaedic patients but a same day admission unit is planned to open in due course. The fracture clinic and plaster room are located adjacent to the ED.
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The 'hub' of the department is the 'trauma room' on ward 21. The morning meeting is held here and it serves as a base for many Consultants and Junior staff alike. There are tea/coffee facilities available.
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Rota:
Middle grade: 2 tiers. Most trainees on 'junior' tier, which is approx 1 in 8 non-resident on-call.
Junior (SHO): Full shift, H@N shifts with general surgery.
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Consultants
Mr. Abu-
Travel Information
Located in Paisley a few miles outside Glasgow, the RAH is easily accessible by car, just a short 20-25 min trip from the M77 or M8.
Car - There is limited car parking on site with some street parking. Arrive early to guarantee a space.
Train / Bus - There are regular bus services which run into the centre of Paisley. There are 2 train stations in Paisley, both of which are a 10 min journey from Glasgow city centre with services every 10 min during the day. You can walk from Paisley Canal St Station or Paisley Gilmour Street Station however this will take around 20 - 30 min.
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Bike - It is only a short 10min cycle from the main train station or around an hour's cycle from Glasgow City Centre.
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