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Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care

Galloway Community Hospital

Galloway Community Hospital

Dalrymple Street
Stranraer
DG9 7DQ

Tel: 01776 707 707 

What we do

Galloway Community Hospital (GCH) in Stranraer provides high-quality healthcare for Wigtownshire and surrounding areas. It offers a wide range of services including a 24-hour Accident & Emergency department, inpatient care, outpatient clinics, day surgery, emergency dental and a renal unit. The hospital also features diagnostic facilities, and allied health services such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Designed to deliver accessible, modern care close to home, Galloway Community Hospital plays a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of its local communities.

Services

The Administration team plays a vital role in supporting patient care and hospital operations. They are the first point of contact for patients, staff and visitors, ensuring a smooth and welcoming experience while assisting clinical, medical & support services teams behind the scenes.

Main Reception
Located on the ground floor and accessed via the main entrance.

Areas Covered by the Administration Team

  • Accident & Emergency (A&E)
  • Two inpatient wards
  • X-ray
  • Day Surgery
  • Outpatients
  • Main reception
  • Support to Senior Management

Main reception can be contacted on 01776 707707 with opening times varying between 0745-1700 Monday-Friday. 

Ambulatory Care is a patient focused service located in the Galloway Community Hospital in Stranraer where treatment is provided for various medical conditions on a day case basis.

The service is nurse led with the aim of providing patient-centred treatments in a comfortable environment by skilled nursing staff whilst aiming to reduce the need for hospital admissions by providing treatments on a day case basis.

Such treatments provided in the Ambulatory Care setting include therapies such as blood transfusions, various IV Infusions, investigative procedures such as urology and cardiology diagnostic tests, CVC care plus many other additional treatments and care.

In addition, outpatient clinics run twice weekly for phlebotomy services and cardiac monitor fitting which are all overseen by the department.

Ambulatory Care is open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and welcomes referrals from GP’s and various other health care providers.  We can be contacted by telephone on 01776 707803 or by emailing dg.gch-ambulatory-care-unit@nhs.scot where one of our staff will be happy to assist with any enquiries and referrals.

Blood Science laboratory at GCH provides laboratory testing for patient’s in primary and secondary care. The repertoire of tests provided include:

Full blood count

INR (Warfarin)

Chemistry including Urea & Electrolytes, Liver Function Tests, Glucose, C-reactive protein, and Troponin

Out of hours, the department manages the delivery of Point of Care testing devices. These devices are used by clinical staff out of hours to support with clinical decision making

times of access/ provision

Laboratory open hours – 08:00-18:15 Monday to Friday

Point of care testing – out of hours

Contact details for the public. in and OOHs. if appropriate generic email.. only if its checked regularly

During laboratory opening hours: 01776 707712

Out of hours: assistance can be provided remotely from the laboratory at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary

Haematology at DGRI: 01387 241438

Biochemistry at DGRI: 01387 241468

Dalrymple ward is a 26 bedded unit providing 24 hour medical and nursing care. 

24 beds provide assessment, rehabilitation and care of older adult through a multidisciplinary approach with regular Physio, Occupational Therapy,

Speech and Language, Dietetic, Psychiatric Liaison and Social work support within the ward.

2 Order of St john beds which are part of the ward, enable support to people with terminal/ palliative conditions requiring pain/ symptom control and also end of life care.

We work closely with palliative care link nurse and the local cancer drop-in centre which provided a lot of support of patients and their families. 

Ward Tel- 01776707733

Generic Email- dg.dalrymple-ward@nhs.scot

Visiting- Open visiting- (however whilst in hospital it is important that appropriate care is give at all times, please be mindful of not interrupting therapy sessions/ ward rounds/ meal times etc and only two visitors at a time- thank you)

We can offer virtual visiting via our portal for friends/ families that perhaps live a distance away

Supported Meal times  – We encourage relatives/ friends to attend the ward at meal times if they are helping and supporting patients to eat- please speak to the staff if you feel that this applies to you. 

🌟 Day Surgery Suite
Galloway Community Hospital, Stranraer
Welcome to the Day Surgery Suite at Galloway Community Hospital, where we provide safe, high quality day case surgery for patients across Stranraer and Wigtownshire. As part of the hospital’s commitment to local healthcare, our services support the community with accessible surgical care close to home.
Our modern suite is designed to give you a comfortable, reassuring experience — from your arrival to your return home later the same day.
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⭐ What We Offer
Our Day Surgery Suite provides a wide range of planned procedures delivered by skilled consultants and supported by our experienced theatre and recovery team.
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Maxillofacial (Oral & Facial Surgery)
We treat conditions affecting the mouth, jaw and face, including:
• Removal of cysts or small lesions
• Oral biopsies
• Minor corrective procedures
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Orthopaedics (Bone, Joint & Soft Tissue)
Enhancing comfort and mobility through:
• Hand and wrist surgery
• Foot and ankle procedures
• Soft tissue lump removal
• Tendon treatments
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👩‍⚕️ Gynaecology
Supporting women’s health with:
• Investigation of abnormal bleeding
• Removal of polyps
• Day case diagnostic procedures
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General Surgery
Including:
• Removal of skin lesions
• Excision of cysts and small lumps
• Minor abdominal procedures
• Hernia repair: day-case repair; strengthening the abdominal wall and reducing discomfort
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📹 Endoscopy Services
Diagnostic procedures such as:
• Gastroscopy (examining the oesophagus and stomach)
• Colonoscopy (examining the bowel)
Helping identify causes of symptoms like indigestion, abdominal pain or bowel changes.
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👁️ Ophthalmology (Eyes)
We offer:
• Cataract surgery to improve clarity of vision
• Macular injections for age related macular degeneration
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👂 ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat)
Providing:
• Lesion removal
• Minor ear or nasal procedures
• Diagnostic examinations
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🚻 Urology – Including Bladder Botox
Supporting bladder health with:
• Bladder assessments
• Botox injections for overactive bladder
• Minor urological procedures
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Dental Surgery
Treatments carried out in a hospital setting include:
• Removal of difficult or impacted teeth
• Full dental clearance
• Oral surgery requiring specialist support
Galloway Community Hospital provides a range of dental services within its facility.
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💙 Our Dedicated Team
Your care is delivered by a skilled and compassionate multidisciplinary team, all working together to ensure your safety, comfort and confidence throughout your surgical journey.
Galloway Community Hospital is supported by a wide range of healthcare professionals across surgical and outpatient services.
👨‍⚕️ Surgeons
Consultants from specialties including general surgery, orthopaedics, maxillofacial, ophthalmology, ENT, urology, gynaecology and dental surgery.
🫁 Anaesthetists
Experts in providing safe general, regional or local anaesthesia tailored to each patient.
🧼 Scrub Nurses
Highly trained theatre nurses who prepare instruments and assist surgeons directly during procedures.
💉 Anaesthetic Nurses
Supporting the anaesthetist and preparing patients for safe surgery.
🔄 Circulating Nurses
Coordinating equipment, communication and safety within the operating theatre.
🌬️ Recovery Nurses
Caring for patients as they wake from anaesthesia, monitoring recovery and ensuring comfort.
🤝 Health Care Support Workers
Offering essential emotional and practical support before and after surgery.
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🌈 Your Experience
We are committed to ensuring you feel calm, supported and well informed.
Our Day Surgery Suite provides:
• A welcoming and reassuring environment
• Smooth and well organised appointments
• Friendly staff who take time to listen
• Clear information before and after your procedure
• Safe, efficient care from admission to discharge
We’re proud to offer high quality day case surgery to the community we serve.

The Public Dental Service in Stranraer provides NHS dental care for patients, including routine appointments and weekend/public‑holiday emergency clinics.

Opening hours are Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm, with emergency cover 2–5pm on weekends and public holidays.

Appointments & Emergencies
Call 01776 707795 for appointments or urgent advice. Out‑of‑hours dental emergencies should go through NHS24 on 111.

Charges
Normal NHS charges apply unless you are exempt (e.g., under 26, pregnancy/maternity, qualifying benefits).

Leaflet:
👉PDS-Leaflet-3-Stranraer-Dental-Clinic

Galloway Community Hospital Wards – Garrick ward and Dalrymple ward have a dedicated dietitian and dietetic support worker based at GCH for patients requiring nutritional support during their inpatient admission. This is a part time service. Remote contact can be made with the dietetic team at Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary out with the teams working hours. There is also support from the regional Catering Dietitian who supports with menu analysis and nutritional processes ensuring that patients’ different dietary needs are met while recovering in hospital.

Community Nutrition Support – Based at GCH, clinics are offered at GCH outpatient department (as well as Newton Stewart Health centre). We have a full time dietitian and part-time dietetic support worker. The caseload covers rhins and machars area. Domiciallary visit and phone appointments are also offered.

Out reach Service to GCH outpatient department – Other specialist dietetic services across the region include Renal, Diabetes, Gastroenterology, Diabetes/Weight management. These teams are based in Dumfries and usually offer appointments in-person at GCH outpatient department or remote appointments.

Referrals are accepted from:

  • Medical practitioners
  • Nursing staff
  • Allied Health Professionals, e.g. Speech & language therapists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists
  • Pharmacists
  • Psychologists
  • Social workers
  • Self-referrals can be made within certain teams

Address (Main Dept): Mountain Hall Treatment Centre, Dumfries, DG1 4AP

Contact Number: 01387 241568.

Email: dg.dietetics@nhs.scot

  • Services: Adult and Paediatric Emergency Care
  • Availability: 24-hour service, including 24-hour on-call anaesthetics
  • Staffing:
    • 2 Doctors
    • 1 Emergency Nurse Practitioner available 24/7 for a range of minor injuries
    • 3 Nurses Day shift and 2 Nurses Night shift
  • Diagnostics:
    • X-ray / CT / USS: Available during normal hours, with on-call service out of hours for emergencies
    • Laboratory: Open 08:00–18:15, with point-of-care testing for specific bloods out of hours and blood bike availability.
  • Additional Information:
    • Dental and non-urgent cases may be redirected to pharmacy, GP, out-of-hours services, or dental clinics
    • Helipad available for emergency air transfers
    • Homes Team support

Garrick Ward- Galloway Community Hospital

About Us

The Garrick Ward is a 22-bedded Acute Care Ward, where we provide high-quality, compassionate care for patients with a range of health conditions, including:

  • Respiratory and cardiac issues
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Infections
  • Palliative care
  • Chronic disease management

Admissions come directly from the Emergency Department or via transfers from other hospitals. We have a doctor present on the ward from 8am until 8pm. Overnight patients can be reviewed by an onsite doctor if required. The ward can be a fast-paced environment, however our staff are extremely approachable and are here to help and guide where able.

Our goal is to ensure safe, effective, and person-centred care throughout your stay. We also value our close links with specialist nurses for areas such as stroke, heart failure, diabetes, respiratory, cardiac rehabilitation and palliative care.

Our Team

Our dedicated team includes:

  • Senior Charge Nurse
  • Charge Nurses
  • Registered Nurses
  • Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs)
  • Healthcare Support Workers
  • Doctor present on the ward 8am- 8pm

We work closely with the multidisciplinary team, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, community nurses, and pharmacists, to support recovery and safe discharge. 

Daily Care

Patients are discussed daily at our ‘Daily Dynamic Discharge’ meeting whereby we use a collaborative multi-disciplinary team approach to set clear plans for each of our patients. Patients are also reviewed every day during ward rounds by doctors, ANPs, and nurses. This ensures treatment plans are updated and tailored to individual needs. We are keen for families to be involved where possible, therefore we ask that you speak with our nursing team.

Visiting Hours

  • Daily- Visting is open, however we ask that mealtimes are avoided
  • Meal times are as follows:
  • 08:00-09:00
  • 12:00-13:00
  • 17:00-18:00

Visiting Guidelines

  • Maximum 2 visitors per patient at a time
  • Children welcome (must be supervised)
  • Please do not visit if unwell
  • Use hand sanitiser on arrival and departure
  • We have a dayroom available for use of relatives

Further information about the Garrick Ward can be provided by contacting Senior Charge Nurse on 01776 707703.

The X-ray Department is responsible for General and Dental orthopantomogram x-rays and CT and Ultrasound scans.

The X-ray department is located on the ground floor between out-patient and A&E departments. It consists of 1 General room, 1 Dental room which acts as a backup to the general room when needed, 1 Ultrasound room and 1 CT room.

The department is open 0900am-17:00pm Monday to Friday. Reception can be contacted on 01776 707716 during these normal working hours.

Outside these hours an on call service for x-ray and CT is provided.

Radiographers may be called by hospital medical staff only. The requesting clinician can contact the on call radiographer through the GCH switchboard 08:00-17:00 or direct dial otherwise. Out of hours examinations are only carried out if they are essential to the immediate patient management. If treatment is not time sensitive you may be asked to return in normal working hours.

Accident and Emergency: The Accident and Emergency Department has open access for x-ray and CT. Access for ultrasound is during daytime hours.

GP referrals: All requests for x-ray, CT and ultrasound are sent electronically to the x-ray department where they are vetted for suitability within the referral criteria. Appointments are posted/telephoned with regard to the urgency of the request.

Outpatient Clinics. Patients from outpatient clinics have an open access for routine x-rays during daytime hours. Patients requiring ultrasound or CT will be sent appointments for a future date.

Inpatients: Have open access to X-ray and CT. Access to ultrasound is core hours.

The Outpatient Department, often referred to as the OPD, is a fundamental unit of any community hospital. Its primary purpose is to deliver a wide range of medical services to patients who do not require admission to the hospital for extended care. These services encompass diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of various medical conditions, allowing patients to receive medical attention while maintaining their daily routines.  Located on the ground floor to the left of Main reception is where our OPD can be found.  We offer a straightforward check in system for patients, whereby check in for any clinic is at main reception, contact details checked and patients will then be offered to take a seat at the waiting area designated at the front of main reception.  The staff member assisting with the clinic will then come and ask for the patient at their appointment time.  Any contact with OPD is made through the switchboard on 01776 707707 and the reception staff will be happy to put you through to the member of staff required. OPD generally runs from 0800-1700 Mon-Fri with occasional weekend clinics to catch up with lists and we are closed on public holidays.

The OPD at Galloway Community Hospital offers a diverse array of services such as Audiology, Movement Disorders, Dermatology, light treatment for skin conditions, Diabetes, Gynaecology, Haematology, Neurology, Maxillofacial, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Phlebotomy, Pre assessment, Renal, Respiratory, Rheumatology, Sexual Health, Surgical, Urology and Vascular making it a one-stop destination for patients seeking healthcare support. Below is a brief outline of some of the services provided within OPD, GCH:

Consultations: General physicians, specialists, and healthcare professionals are available for consultations, diagnosis, and treatment planning, these include but are not limited to –

  • Dermatology: Dermatology services cater to the diagnosis and treatment of various skin, hair, and nail conditions. Patients can seek care for issues such as acne, eczema and skin cancer treatment.
  • Orthopaedics: The orthopaedic department specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Patients can receive care for bone fractures, joint injuries, arthritis, and information regarding surgical procedures like joint replacements or sports injury treatments.
  • Ophthalmology: Ophthalmology services are focused on eye health and vision care. Patients can receive eye exams, treatment for conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal issues.
  • Chronic Disease Management: Patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or asthma can receive ongoing care and education in the OPD which can lead to better disease control and an improved quality of life.

As a vital part of the community hospital the Outpatients Department continues to play a crucial role in making healthcare more accessible, efficient, and patient-centric.  By offering a variety of healthcare services within the Galloway Community Hospital, the OPD ensures easy access to medical care for residents, reducing the need for long commutes to larger healthcare facilities.

As a team, we warmly welcome patients to the OPD department where patient centred care is imperative.

Stranraer Cancer Drop In Centre aims to provide a safe and confidential place for cancer patients, their families, carers and those bereaved by cancer to come and discuss any fears or concerns. We can also assist client with financial advice, help with patient transport and lots of written resources. 

We have a direct link with the Citizens Advice Berau who assist our patients with benefit claims. Stranraer Cancer Drop In Charity also know has a small amount of money set aside for patient grants, these are means tested and application is via the centre manager.

We have an in-house complimentary therapist who works in the centre providing reflexology, Swedish massage, reiki and cranial sacrum therapy free of charge to patients and their families. We provide a direct referral to acupuncture and yoga classes for clients.

We also gift all breast cancer ladies within DG8 and DG9 post codes with a free bra voucher, this enables them to go to a local store and get a post surgery bra free of charge. 

We run a number of support groups for patients throughout the month 

  • 1st Tuesday of each month – Men’s Support Group 1.30pm
  • 1st Wednesday of each month – Knitting group 1.30pm
  • 1st Thursday of each month – Head and Neck Cancer Group 2pm
  •  2nd Thursday of each month – Young Persons Cancer Support Group 4pm
  • 3rd Wednesday of each month – Craft afternoon 1.30pm
  • Last Tuesday of each month – Relatives/Carers Support Group 3pm
  • Last Wednesday of each month – Bereavement Support Group 4pm – 5.30pm
  • Every second Friday – Ladies Support Group 1.30pm

The centre is open Tuesday – Friday 10am till 4pm each day, ‘Drop-In’ service runs from 10am till 1pm each day, from 1pm onwards I keep for private pre booked appointments and support groups. 

Feedback

If you have any comments or complaints about the Galloway Community Hospital services you can write to:

Patient Feedback Officer
NHS Dumfries and Galloway
Second Floor South
Mountainhall Treatment Centre
Bankend Road
Dumfries
DG1 4AP
Tel: 01387 272733
Or Email: dg.PatientServices@nhs.scot