Roxburgh Street Surgery

Client

Hub South East Scotland

Location

Galashiels, Scottish Borders

Sector

Health

A new purpose-built surgery in Galashiels replaces an outdated converted house, bringing together multiple healthcare services under one roof. The light-filled, two-storey building combines consulting, treatment, and staff facilities in a welcoming environment. Contemporary materials, natural light, and efficient planning create a community-focused hub designed to serve the town’s growing population.

The Challenge

To replace an outdated converted house with a modern, purpose-built surgery capable of meeting the needs of Galashiels’ growing community. The new facility had to accommodate multiple healthcare services under one roof, provide a welcoming environment for patients, and meet strict NHS standards within a tight delivery programme.

Alasdair Rankin

Managing Director

Rachel Armistead

Senior Architect

Alistair Whitson

Associate

Our Approach

The two-storey design places public-facing functions on the ground floor, including reception, waiting areas, consulting rooms, and treatment spaces, while the upper level provides accommodation for staff, district nurses, and health visitors, along with a Scottish Ambulance Service crew room. A restrained palette of render and larch cladding creates a striking yet contextually sensitive exterior, with glazing and rooflights maximising natural light to enhance the patient experience.

The Conclusion

Delivered through the HUB South East framework for NHS Borders, the surgery opened in May 2017, providing Galashiels with a modern, efficient, and uplifting healthcare environment. The design supports current operational needs while allowing flexibility for future community healthcare growth.

Alasdair Rankin

Managing Director

Alasdair leads Aitken Turnbull as Managing Director, guiding the strategic vision and steering the senior management team with clear purpose. With extensive experience as a project and framework director across diverse sectors, he brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the practice. His passion lies in Healthcare and Major Projects, where he excels in shaping strategic briefs and fostering meaningful stakeholder engagement. Alasdair’s thoughtful leadership ensures that every project aligns with both client goals and community needs, driving the continued growth and success of Aitken Turnbull.

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Rachel Armistead

Senior Architect

Rachel brings her expertise as a Senior Architect to our Edinburgh studio, applying a thoughtful and considered approach to each project. Since joining Aitken Turnbull in 2014, she has built up broad experience across healthcare, education, and residential sectors, contributing to both design and delivery stages. Rachel combines strong technical skills with creative thinking, using tools like AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite to help shape well-resolved, engaging spaces. Having completed her Part 3 studies at ESALA in 2017, she brings a professional, detail-focused mindset that supports high-quality outcomes for our clients and the wider project team.

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Alistair Whitson

Associate

Alistair is a highly experienced technical leader at Aitken Turnbull, bringing over 35 years of knowledge and expertise to the team. Educated at Edinburgh College of Art he has developed a wealth of experience as a technical leader, and has extensive experience across a range of sectors including Healthcare and Residential projects. Alongside his technical leadership, he also oversees IT within the practice, ensuring systems run smoothly and efficiently. With a practical, hands-on approach and a wealth of insight, Alistair supports the team in delivering well-crafted, reliable solutions for every project.

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