Welcome to the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children

The Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC) provides a local service for Bristol children and a referral service for specialist care for families across the South West and nationally. You can view our Trust map.

Main reception: 0117 342 8460 - Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm only

Trust switchboard: 0117 923 0000

If you're looking for information on the children's emergency department click here

The current building opened on 22 April 2001 and was the first purpose-built children's hospital in the South West. In April 2007, a further ward was opened to accommodate children's services from Southmead, and in May 2015 two specialist hospital services for children moved from Frenchay Hospital to create one centre of excellence in Bristol.

These pages are designed to provide you with useful information to help you during your stay with us.

You might find it useful to view this document if your child has been referred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. 

If you have questions, please contact the Family Information Room on 0117 342 8065 or email bchinfo@UHBW.nhs.uk

We are proud to offer patients and families opportunities to take part in research. We may discuss research studies with you whilst you, or your child is, under our care. For more information on taking part in research please speak to your clinical team.

If you require the services of an interpreter during a hospital visit, the Trust has a team of interpreters whose services we can call upon. Depending on the circumstances, staff may also use a telephone interpreting service as an alternative.

Visit our interactive website designed for young patients between the ages of 8-12. You'll find lots of information about what happens at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, and some fun activities too.  

Looking to support us?  Find out more about our charities here.

Trust switchboard - 0117 923 0000

Main reception: 0117 342 8460 - Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm only

Here is a list of services we offer:

 Many of our clinical teams are supported by allied health professionals such as dietetians, speech therapists and psychologists.  There are also global services which support every patient such as our team of play specialists. For more information on our support services, please click here

We know that bringing your child to hospital can be a difficult time. All of our staff will offer their help and support to make it as easy as possible.  Please read on for more information about the facilities for parents and visitors.

If you cannot find what you are looking for, please contact the Family Information Room on 0117 342 8065

Accommodation

Each of our hospital beds has a drop down bed for one parent to stay overnight with the exception of the intensive care unit and our short stay surgery ward. We have limited family accommodation but are happy to provide advice regarding hotels and guest houses in the local area.

Transport and parking

Car parking within the hospital precinct has been affected by the current building work. There is some parking outside of the children's hospital, though this is very limited. The closest hospital pay and display spaces are at the Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre and St Michael's Hospital. Parking permits to reduce the cost are available for families staying overnight. There are roadside parking meters and Trenchard Street NCP is also close to the main entrance. Families parking at Cabot Circus can catch a free shuttle bus during normal hours.  Please take care when parking as all spaces are patrolled regularly. If you have any queries or concerns about parking, please contact the LIAISE team on 0117 342 8065 or 0117 342 8158 or email BCHInfo@uhbw.nhs.uk 

Families receiving an income related benefit may be able to claim back some of their costs. Please ask the ward for details.

Food

Food for patients is provided and there are legal restrictions on bringing in food for patients. Please see the food folder at every bedside for more information.

Food for parents can be obtained from the Brewnel's, close to the main entrance to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, open Monday-Friday, 7am-6pm and Saturday and Sunday, 9am-4pm. 

Each long stay ward also has access to a parent's kitchen where parents are welcome to prepare their own food. Hot drinks are generally not allowed on the wards for your child's safety.

Facilities for parents

Each long stay ward has access to a shower room and toilet for parents to use. Linen is also provided for drop down beds. Please ask ward staff to show you the facilities on your ward.

Visiting

Parents and carers are welcome to stay with their child for as long as they wish, although we ask for one adult only between 8pm and 8am, except in exceptional circumstances. Other visitors are welcome but we ask for no more than two per bed at any time. If you wish to bring siblings to visit, please discuss this first with your named nurse.

Support services

There are a range of services which will support the clinical care of your child and also services which will help support you with the experience of being in hospital. Please click here for more information about some of those services.

Breastfeeding

We welcome breastfeeding mothers. There is a breastfeeding room on level 2 if you would prefer more privacy. 

Still not found what you're looking for - download our Hospital Welcome Booklet or contact the Family Information Room on 0117 342 8065 or email BCHInfo@uhbw.nhs.uk

Our postal address is:

Bristol Royal Hospital for Children
Paul O'Gorman Building
Upper Maudlin Street
Bristol
BS2 8BJ

If you wish to send post to a patient, please include the patient name and ward number.

Please click on the links below to find contact numbers for:

Children's wards                                    Outpatients/Admissions team

For department and clinic contact numbers for appointments and admissions please see here.

Trust switchboard - 0117 923 0000

Main reception: 00117 342 8643 or 0117 342 8644 Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm only

Family Information Room and LIAISE support team: 0117 342 8065

Young Persons Involvement Worker: 0117 342 7443

Donations/gifts co-ordinator: 0117 342 8874

View a map of the hospital and surrounding area

The hospital is located in very busy areas of the city, with severely restricted roadside parking. Some parking is available and is shown on our site map, together with the location of disabled parking bays, though please note that one of the disabled parking bays is currently closed to allow for refurbishment work to be carried out inside the hospital. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any queries or concerns about parking, please contact the LIAISE team on 0117 342 8065 or 0117 342 8158 or email BCHInfo@uhbw.nhs.uk 

Blue badge holders are able to park in any of our parking spaces, as long as your badge is correctly displayed. All patients and visitors are encouraged to use public transport or nearby public car parks whenever possible, which are shown on our map above. If you need to bring your car to the hospital, discounted parking for patients and carers is available, please ask at main reception when you arrive. There are 15 minute drop-off bays at the front of the hospital.

AccessAble

AccessAble has created detailed Access Guides to facilities, wards, and departments at the Bristol Eye Hospital. The guides provide information and photographs to help patients and visitors plan their journeys to and around the hospital, covering everything from parking facilities and hearing loops, to walking distances and accessible toilets.  View the guides for Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.