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02 October 2013

Building work brings major changes to patient drop-off area between the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and the Bristol Royal Infirmary

From Monday 7 October until Monday 4 November, there will be major changes to the patient drop-off area between the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC) and the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI).

The changes are caused by building work to redevelop the BRI and build an extension to the BRHC. The £110 million investment will greatly improve the hospital environment for patients and enable specialist children's services currently delivered at Frenchay Hospital, to move to the children's hospital. 

Deborah Lee, Deputy Chief Executive, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (UH Bristol) said: "We realise that some patients and visitors will find these changes inconvenient and I'm sorry for that but sadly these disruptions are unavoidable if we are to achieve our vision for our hospitals however, we are doing our very best to alert patients to these changes before they travel to our hospitals so they can plan the impact into their journey and put alternatives in place wherever we can." 

For four weeks from Monday 7 October, a staffed barrier will be put up to prevent drivers entering the area between the children's hospital and the BRI. The barrier will be in place from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, during the four-week period. Drivers will only be allowed through in emergencies or if they are dropping off children with mobility difficulties who are patients at the BRHC. 

Drivers dropping off adults with mobility difficulties can use the council-controlled drop-off area in front of the BRI. Drivers should not park in the drop-off area or leave their car unattended or they will risk a fine. Drivers will need to park in one of the nearby car parks. 

Blue Badge holders will be able to park free of charge in any of our parking spaces. This excludes the drop-off areas, such as the area in front of the BRI.                       

Deborah Lee said: "We are asking all patients for the BRI and the children's hospital to avoid driving into the hospital precinct, to use nearby car parks and the free hospital bus wherever possible. It is essential that we keep traffic away from the area between the BRI and the children's hospital to ensure immediate access for those patients who need urgent access. These changes have operated before, and patients and visitors were extremely helpful in supporting us in our efforts for which I'm grateful. 

"We will continually assess how the new access arrangements are working and make any changes that are needed. Please check our website www.uhbristol.nhs.uk for further details." 

In summary

  • From Monday 7 October - Monday 4 November a staffed barrier will be up to prevent drivers in private vehicles from entering the area between the BRHC and the BRI.
  • The barrier will be in place from 7.30am to 6.30pm from Monday to Friday during the four-week period.
  • Drivers will be let through the barrier if they are bringing patients to the BRI and the children's hospital in an emergency or they are dropping off patients with mobility difficulties at the children's hospital. 
  • Drivers dropping off adults with mobility difficulties can use the council-controlled drop-off area in front of the BRI. Drivers should not park in the drop-off area or leave their car unattended or they will risk a fine. Drivers will need to park in one of the nearby car parks.
  • Blue Badge holders will be able to park free of charge in any of our parking spaces. This excludes the drop-off areas, such as the area in front of the BRI.
  • All other patients for the BRI and the children's hospital should avoid driving into the hospital precinct, use nearby car parks and the free hospital bus wherever possible.

What if I have an outpatient appointment or I am a visitor?

All patients and visitors for the BRI and the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children should avoid driving into the hospital precinct. Instead please use nearby car parks, the free hospital bus or other bus services wherever possible. Check www.uhbristol.nhs.uk for further details.

What if I am dropping off a child with mobility difficulties?

Drivers dropping off a child with mobility difficulties will be let through the barrier.

What if I am dropping off an adult with mobility difficulties?

Drivers dropping off adults with mobility difficulties can use the council-controlled drop-off area in front of the BRI. Drivers should not park in the drop-off area or they will risk a fine. Drivers will need to park in one of the nearby car parks.

What if I have a Blue Badge?

If you are a Blue Badge holder you will be able to park free of charge in any of our parking spaces. This excludes the drop-off areas, such as the area in front of the BRI. Your Blue Badge must be correctly displayed.

Where can I park?

Parking is very limited on our site and we want to prioritise what is available to people with mobility issues, or people with emergencies. There are a number of public car parks situated close to our hospitals (Cabot Circus, Rupert Street, St James Barton) and we run a free return shuttle bus from Cabot Circus to our hospitals. The bus leaves from outside the ground floor car park exit next to Shopmobility.

What if I am coming by train?

A free bus service operates to and from Bristol Temple Meads train station from Monday to Friday. The bus stop is to the right as you come out of the station.

What if I am coming by bus?

The BRI and the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children are a short walk from Bristol Bus Station. There are a number of bus routes which stop at or near all of our hospital sites, see http://www.travelbristol.org/ for travel information in Bristol.


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