Please help protect your friends and relatives

• Do not visit if you have tested positive for the coronavirus, have coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating.
• Do not visit if feeling unwell with sickness, diarrhoea, fever, sore throat or flu
• Do not visit for at least 48 hours after symptoms have stopped if you have had diarrhoea and/or vomiting. Spreading nasty bugs to people who are already unwell may mean they become more poorly or take longer to recover
• Do not sit on patient beds
• Wash hands regularly with soap and warm water and use the hand gel provided especially after using the toilet
• It is ok to ask staff if they have washed their hands
• Check with staff about bringing in food items. Wrapped sweets are preferable to unwrapped
• Talk to staff if you have concerns about the cleanliness of the ward or public areas
• Use public toilets not patient toilets and remember to wash your hands
• If in doubt ask a member of staff for advice

Updated: Tuesday 1 August 2023

Our current visitor policy remains as follows:

All inpatients (children and adults):

• Visitors are permitted anytime, with a limit of 2 visitors at the bedside at any one time.

Please note some wards may have local visiting arrangements in place. We recommend you check the arrangements with the ward you're going to before your visit.

Before your visit

Please do not visit a patient in hospital if you feel unwell. This includes symptoms of Covid-19, sickness, diarrhoea, fever, sore throat or flu.

Please note some wards may have local visiting arrangements in place. We recommend you check the arrangements with the ward you're going to before your visit.

During your visit

Mask wearing is optional in our hospitals for patients and visitors. There may be some circumstances where face masks are required, such as when visiting patients with a suspected or confirmed Covid or flu infection, which you may be informed of prior to attending our hospitals or on arrival in ward areas.

Face masks are available for patients and visitors who choose to wear them.

There may be some circumstances when we have to limit visitors for a patient, this will be managed individually by ward nursing staff and communicated to families/friends on the day.

Maternity Services

Read our visiting policy for maternity services.

Scans and appointments: Women are able to attend all Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (EPAC) appointments, all maternity appointments and antenatal scan appointments with one other adult.

Induction: You can be supported by one birth partner throughout induction and early labour.

Labour and birth: In established labour, you can be supported by two birth partners in all of our birth settings.

Visiting: One birth partner and one named visitor from 10am – 9pm. Siblings can attend between 2-6pm.

Coming to a hospital appointment

Hospital appointments are running as normal. Please don’t call to check that a booked appointment is going ahead. If anything changes with your care, we will be in touch.

Mask wearing is optional in our hospitals for patients and visitors. There may be some circumstances where face masks are required, such as when visiting patients with a suspected or confirmed Covid or flu infection, which you may be informed of prior to attending our hospitals or on arrival in ward areas.

Individuals attending hospital for an appointment can be accompanied by one other person.

• Please arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before your appointment.
• Please leave the building promptly after your appointment.
• If you require assistance, a Move Maker volunteer may be able to help. Please telephone 0117 414 3709 for further information to discuss your requirements

Guidance for visitors - hygiene

• Please wash your hands regularly and use the hand sanitiser provided when visiting our hospitals.
• Mask wearing is optional in our hospitals for patients and visitors. There may be some circumstances where face masks are required, such as when visiting patients with a suspected or confirmed Covid or flu infection, which you may be informed of prior to attending our hospitals or on arrival in ward areas.
• Do not visit if feeling unwell with sickness, diarrhoea, fever, sore throat or flu
• If you have had diarrhoea and/or vomiting, do not visit for at least 48 hours after symptoms have stopped. Spreading infections to people who are already unwell may mean they become more poorly or take longer to recover
• Do not sit on patient beds.
• Check with staff about bringing in food items. Wrapped sweets are preferable to unwrapped.
• Talk to staff if you have concerns about the cleanliness of the ward or public areas.
• Use public toilets, not patient toilets and remember to wash your hands.
• If in doubt ask a member of staff for advice.

Understanding Brain Tumours: The Macmillan booklet that describes a practical guide to understanding primary brain tumours.

Read about the treatment pathways at our trust (by following the links on the left), which are based on the improving outcomes guidance from NICE (2004) and download the diagrams in this section.

Privacy Notice: 12 September 2024

This Privacy Notice explains how North Bristol NHS Trust ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal information as a Data Controller in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly.

Purpose of Processing Personal Information

We collect and process personal information for the following purposes:

• Providing healthcare services and treatment.
• Managing and administering your healthcare records.
• Facilitating communication between healthcare professionals.
• Conducting research, audits, and clinical trials.
• Ensuring the safety and quality of our services.
• Planning and managing the healthcare system.
• Complying with legal and regulatory obligations.

Types of Personal Information Collected

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Basic details (e.g., name, address, date of birth).
• Contact information (e.g., phone number, email address).
• Health and medical information.
• Relevant social and personal circumstances.
• Financial information (where necessary for payment purposes).
• Information related to your care and treatment.
• Identifiers (e.g., NHS number, patient identifier).
• Research data (where applicable and with consent).
• Any other information necessary for providing healthcare services.

What information do we collect online?

You may choose to submit personal information about yourself (e.g., name, email, address) through the webforms we provide. By entering and submitting your details in the fields requested, you are consenting to North Bristol NHS Trust and our service providers to process your data and provide you with the services you select. Any information you provide to the North Bristol NHS Trust will only be used by us, our agents and service providers and will not be disclosed unless we are obliged or permitted to by law to do so.

At North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) we value your privacy and want to ensure you understand how your data is used and protected. This notice is to inform you about your rights regarding the use of your personal data.

Under UK data protection legislation you have the right to make choices and have certain rights when it comes to your personal data.  However, there are specific situations where these rights may not apply. There is an important exception when it comes to your healthcare.

In the UK, patient generally cannot opt out of their healthcare. The National Health Service (NHS) has a legal obligation to provide healthcare to all residents, and individuals are generally not permitted to refuse necessary medical treatment.

NHS organisations, like NBT have legal grounds to process confidential and sensitive information under various laws and obligations. 

Legal Basis for Processing Personal Information

We rely on the following legal bases for processing personal information:

Legal Obligation: We have a legal obligation to process person identifiable data to provide healthcare services. This obligation is enshrined in various laws and regulations, including the National Health Service Act 2006 and the Health & Social Care Act 2012.

Public Task: Processing person identifiable data is often necessary for the performance of tasks carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the NHS. This includes providing healthcare services, public health initiatives and medical research.

Consent: While consent is an important aspect of data processing, in the context of healthcare, NHS organisations can rely on alternative legal bases such as legal obligations, or public tasks, rather than explicit consent. However, consent will always be sought whenever appropriate.

Vital Interests: Processing person identifiable data may be necessary to protect the vital interests of the patient or other individuals, particularly in emergency situations where obtaining consent may not be feasible.

Statutory and Regulatory Obligations: NBT must comply with various statutory and regulatory obligations related to individuals’ data protection, including the UK General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018.

Sharing Personal Information

International Data Transfers

Data Retention

Your Rights

Security Measures

Complaints

Contact Information

Managing preferences and withdrawing consent

Using personal information in the wider health service

Assigning new NHS Numbers

Connecting Care Records

Counter Fraud

The Orthopaedic Department at Southmead Hospital is world renowned for its innovation and expertise.

We are a centre of excellence in the South West, treating patients from across the region after accidents and for planned surgery.

The Avon Orthopaedic Centre is one of the largest orthopaedic centres in the South West and has an international reputation for hip and knee surgery, carrying out 1,000 knee replacements a year.

It is one of the best known foot and ankle services in Europe.

Historically, the Avon Orthopaedic Centre, has been one of the leading centres in the country for research and innovation in orthopaedic care.

With 745 members of staff, it provides an extensive joint replacement service for both routine and complex joint replacements, in particular revision arthroplasty hips, knees, ankles and shoulders as well as upper limb surgery.  

Following surgery patients are given a full rehabilitation programme with physiotherapy using our on-site hydrotherapy pool and gym.

Patients are mobilised within 12 to 24 hours of surgery to encourage recovery.

There are five clean air filtered theatres helping to keep our infection rates low.

After surgery there is a 24 hour support service for GPs who need advice or information for their patients.

The orthopaedic department also provides an extensive trauma injury service working alongside expert plastic surgical and neurosurgical units within North Bristol NHS Trust.

We have an integrated and highly experienced team for hip fractures, including specialist services in lower limb reconstruction, spinal surgery and upper limb reconstruction.

Patients attending hospital may be able to reclaim your parking charges and travel expenses under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme.

Providing you are in receipt of any of the following benefits and have valid proof of the benefit and expenses:

• Income Support
• Working Tax Credit
• Pension Tax Credit
• Jobseekers Allowance
• HC2
• Family tax credit

Patients wishing to claim must visit the Cashiers' Office, Level 1, Brunel building, Southmead Hospital Bristol.

For further information please contact your GP, hospital cashiers' department or visit www.nhs.uk. 

From the day you are admitted to hospital, the staff involved in your care will work together to assess your needs in preparation for leaving hospital.

We ask you to provide us with all the necessary information that will help with planning your hospital care and timely discharge as early as possible. This should include any services you are currently receiving whether privately arranged or from Community Care or District Nursing.

On the first day of your stay you will receive an estimated date of discharge (EDD). This is a provisional date and as a result of your treatment and care, this date may change. You will be kept informed of any changes to this date.

When your discharge date is identified you will need to make the necessary arrangements which may include transport home. If you or your relatives/carers have any concerns about your hospital discharge or transfer, do not hesitate to ask a member of the team.

I live in a care home – will I go there straight after hospital?

You will be COVID tested 48 hours before you leave hospital and go to a care home. If you have already tested positive for the coronavirus, we will let your care home know.

Discharge Lounge

Where possible, discharge arrangements will be made so you are able to vacate your hospital bed. This may include transfer to the Discharge Lounge; we will prepare you and keep you informed. The Discharge Lounge is a safe area providing nursing care and regular refreshments and meals, including breakfast, where you can wait for transport or collection.

If you need to book a taxi to take you home, please ask one of the team to help you. Under certain circumstances (criteria applies), staff will arrange transport home for you and the hospital will pay.

For information on health and wellbeing services, support organisations, activities and groups visit www.wellaware.org.uk

NHS Constitution

The NHS belongs to all of us. The NHS Constitution brings together in one place what the NHS does and what it stands for.
As well as setting out the principles and values of the NHS, the Constitution outlines the rights to which patients are entitled, the responsibilities to which the public and patients owe to one another and the pledges to which the NHS is committed to achieve. Staff also have rights and there are pledges the NHS makes to them and, in return, they too have responsibilities to the NHS.

At North Bristol NHS Trust we have pledged our commitment to the principles and values of the NHS Constitution. We are committed to putting patients first, recognising people as individuals, striving for excellence and working well together. We aim to provide the highest possible standards of healthcare, to be the specialist service of first choice for patients, both for local and tertiary services and to provide the best possible patient journey, within the resources available – values which are highlighted in the Constitution.

As a patient some of your key rights are to:

• To receive NHS services free of charge
• Not be discriminated against
• Be treated with professional standards by qualified and experienced staff
• Expect NHS organisations to monitor and try to improve continuously the quality of their services
• Be treated with dignity and respect
• Accept or refuse treatment and only be physically examined with consent
• Be given information about any test and treatment options open to you, what they involve and their risks and benefits
• Have access to your own records
• Privacy and confidentiality
• Have any complaint acknowledged within three days and properly investigated
• Compensation if harmed by negligent treatment

Some of our key pledges to patients are to:

• Ensure that any transfer between services is as smooth as possible and you are fully involved
• Provide a clean and safe environment
• Share with you any letters sent between clinicians about you
• Treat you with courtesy and give support in the handling of any complaint and ensure it has no effect on any future treatment
• Identify, acknowledge and learn from mistakes, complaints and claims

Some of your responsibilities are to:

• Treat NHS staff and other patients with respect
• Keep appointments or cancel within a reasonable time
• Give positive or negative feedback about your experiences and the treatment and care you receive

Full details about the rights, responsibilities and pledges set out within the NHS Constitution are available at:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england 

www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/NHSConstitution/Pages/Overview.aspx

The care patients with dementia receive is very high on the agenda for North Bristol Trust (NBT).

Nationally it has been widely acknowledged that more should be done to support patients with dementia, their carers/family and the staff that are looking after them.

Here at NBT, and in partnership with colleagues at neighbouring University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW), we have a series of measures that we continue to implement to ensure this group of patients, carers, family, and staff are offered appropriate ongoing support.

NBT have an established nurse led Specialist Dementia Care Team who offer specialised holistic assessment and care planning, carers support and liaison into community services. We also have a Mental Health Liaison Team who offer specialised medical and nursing support. All of our Care of the Elderly Consultants are experienced in supporting people with dementia and other disorders which cause cognitive impairments. We also have a world-renowned Cognitive Neurology Service specialising in diagnosis and research, Specialist Parkinson’s Consultants, and an Admissions Frailty Unit.

These are the principles NBT have implemented.

1. NBT Dementia Strategy 2022-2025: We are proud of the development of our new Dementia Strategy.
2. Education for staff: All staff, whether clinical or non-clinical, have dementia awareness training to recognise the signs of dementia and to generally raise awareness of the issues affecting people with dementia and their families.
3. Dementia champions: All wards and departments have identified Dementia Champions who receive additional regular training and support. Their role is to support patients with dementia and staff by promoting good practice in this area and they also provide feedback to the Dementia Care Team.
4. Environment: NBT continues to improve the environment of care for people with dementia. Changes include recent environments updates to Elgar House, ongoing changes to signage and clocks for every patient room, larger white boards so nurses can write information for individual patients, and reminiscence walls in the Emergency Department and some wards.
5. Use of This is Me: NBT has embraced the use of the ‘This is Me’ document for patients with any cognitive issue. Wards can order these to give to patients/carers/family to complete and we have several dementia stands where these are available. The ‘This is Me’ document enables staff to know more about the person and how to support if the carer/family is not present. 
6. Nutritional care: Specific assessments for elderly patients to make sure they are eating and drinking enough have been rolled out across the Trust. Elderly patients are particularly susceptible to malnutrition, and we are committed to ensure that this doesn’t happen whilst they are with us. We offer a range of food to meet the dietary requirements of induvial patients and have a Dietetics department.  We also offer specialist swallow assessments when required from the Speech and Language Department.
7. Johns Campaign and Carers Support: NBT support carers; we have a Carers Charter and offer ongoing support via the Carers Liaison Service, a carers pass, complementary parking for carers who stay for long periods of time to support and access to staff Restaurant. 

Information on dementia including care in hospital and the hospital discharge processes can be found on the Alzheimer’s Society website.

At North Bristol NHS Trust men and women are usually cared for separately. Sometimes there may be wards for both sexes, but men and women will be cared for in separate areas. 

However, men and women may be nursed together in areas like intensive care where special facilities are needed. If you have any concerns or questions about this please talk to a member of the ward team.

If you wish to be cared for by a member of staff of the same sex as you, please talk to a member of the ward team. We will try to take full account of your religious and spiritual needs.