18 August 2011
Bristol Heart Institute welcomes visitors on Bristol Doors Open Day
There is a unique opportunity for the people of Bristol to see
behind the scenes at the Bristol Heart Institute (BHI) - University
Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust's RIBA award-winning
flagship building - on Bristol Doors Open Day, from 10am to 4pm
(last entrants at 3.30pm) on Saturday 10 September 2011. Now in its
eighteenth year this is the day when many of Bristol's significant
contemporary and historic buildings open their doors to the general
public.
The BHI was designed by Bristol-based CODA Architects, in
partnership with patients, staff and the public, to deliver the
very best in cardiac services to the people of Bristol, South West
and beyond. The £61m building opened in May 2009. Since then
more than 28,000 inpatients and outpatients have been seen for a
full range of diagnostic and interventional treatments for heart
conditions.
On the day, ushers will guide visitors through the light and
airy atrium with its 14 real trees from the fig family and continue
on to the day care area. This is where patients are prepared
prior to treatment and where they are taken to recover following
their treatment. Clinicians will be on hand to explain more to
visitors and to answer questions.
The tour continues from the day care area to the catheter
laboratories where cardiology diagnostic tests and treatments are
performed. Visitors will be shown the bi-plane catheter
laboratory, which houses an X-ray machine designed to take two
angles of the heart of patients to give sharper diagnostic images
of heart problems. The BHI was built with future expansion in mind
so while there are currently three catheter laboratories in use,
there is also a spacious room ready to be equipped as and when
expansion is required.
As they leave, visitors will see the patient lifts. During
the consultation about the design of the building, patients told us
that when they are on beds and being wheeled through hospital, the
main thing they see is fluorescent lights. So artists worked
with our porters and designed beautiful patient lift
ceilings. From the patient lifts, visitors will be guided
back into the atrium where the coffee shop will be serving
refreshments from 10am until 4pm.
Says Fiona Jones, acting divisional manager of the Division of
Specialised Services: "Since it opened in May 2009, the new BHI
building has delivered real benefits for patients. We are
able to offer them a seamless cardiac service in the most modern
and professional surroundings and this in turn helps to reassure
patients that they will be getting the best care. From the
welcoming entrance with trees and art installations to the
comfortable and spacious wards, the BHI gives a tremendous boost to
both staff and our patients."
Graham Brant, matron at the BHI, says: "The Bristol Heart
Institute is tucked away behind the BRI so Open Doors Day gives us
the chance to show you one of Bristol's best kept secrets. It
offers 21st century care given in a 21st
century setting."
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