North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) is committed to sourcing local, seasonal, and fairly traded food as part of our trust-wide policy to reduce our impact on the environment while maintaining quality. Through our collaboration with suppliers, we now offer the following food options for our patients:

• Most of our dishes are homemade using locally sourced ingredients, prepared, and cooked in our patient’s kitchen on-site in the Brunel Building.
• Our meat is farm-assured and comes from John Sheppard Butchers in Bristol.
• All our eggs are from free-range chickens.
• Our milk comes from Chew Valley Dairy and its partner farms. The milk suppliers are typically small, family-run farms, all Red Tractor certified. It means that the milk is traceable, safe, and farmed with care.
• Our cheese comes from Wykes Farm in Somerset and is farm-assured.
• Our ham is Red Tractor certified and comes from Houghton Hams in Northampton.
• Fish and fish dishes are from sustainable stocks and come from a supplier in St Philip’s, Bristol.

Our patient menu

We offer a rotating two-week main menu that changes seasonally and includes special dishes for celebrations. All our meals meet the minimum nutritional standards required by national legislation. The menu codes on our main menu indicate dishes suitable for specific dietary needs. You can expect to see the following codes:

• ↑ (The symbol is an arrow pointing up) - Higher energy - these dishes contain more calories and are suitable for patients with a small appetite and patients with increased energy and protein requirements.
• ♥ (symbol is a heart-shaped icon) - Healthier eating – these dishes are lower in fat, saturated fat, sugar, and salt.
• â (symbol is a circumflex a) - Easy to chew – these dishes are suitable for those who have difficulty coping with firm foods due to having no teeth or sore mouths. Not suitable for patients with difficulty swallowing (dysphagia); these patients should refer to the modified texture menus.
• V (symbol is the letter V)- Vegetarian - These dishes are made without meat, poultry, fish, and products derived from these, such as gelatine. Suitable for vegetarians who consume milk, egg, and their products. A vegan menu is also available.

In addition to our main menu, we provide a range of alternative menus to meet the needs of patients who may require a special diet for therapeutic, cultural, or religious reasons, and for patients with allergies. These include:

• Texture modified menus – IDDSI compliant, level four, five, and six.
• Gluten-free.
• Lactose-free.
• Free from 14 major allergens.
• Low potassium/low phosphate.
• Low fibre.
• Vegan.
• Halal.
• Kosher.
• Finger food menu.
• Purple butterfly menu.

Meal service times

• Breakfast times vary depending on the ward.
• Lunch is served between 12:30-13:00.
• Supper is served between 17:30-18:00.

Outside of these times, meals and snacks can be organised by the ward staff. Please ask your nurse or housekeeper.

Snacks and drinks

Extra snacks can be ordered from the main menu and are served with lunch and dinner for later. Other snacks such as soup, bread, and biscuits are available from the ward pantry 24 hours a day.

Hot and cold drinks, including tea, coffee (including decaffeinated), hot chocolate, fruit teas, full-fat and semi-skimmed milk, and squash, are available 24 hours a day and offered at least seven times per day. A water jug will be available at the bedside and will be refreshed twice a day.

Sometimes, because of an operation or as part of your treatment, you will not be allowed to eat or drink. Your nurse will explain this to you.

Meal environment

We have implemented supported mealtimes during which non-urgent clinical tasks such as ward rounds and blood tests are paused to ensure that you are not disturbed while eating. We maintain a quiet environment in the wards to promote a calm dining experience. Visitors are welcome during these times if their presence helps the patient with eating."

We are committed to ensuring your stay is as comfortable and trouble-free as possible. If at any time you need extra help, please let a member of the nursing staff know, for example:

• Assistance in choosing a meal suitable for your dietary requirements.
• Help cutting up your food or extra support and assistance with feeding.

Food from home

For dietary and food safety reasons, we discourage relatives and other visitors from bringing temperature-sensitive food to the hospital for patients. If there are special circumstances, please make sure to get permission from the ward manager before bringing food from home. We will record your request and reach an agreement. Any food that requires refrigeration must be labelled with the patient’s name and consumed within 24 hours.

You may see many different members of staff at North Bristol NHS Trust. 

Name badges are designed to aid the visually-impaired will form part of the uniform, helping patients and families or carers to identify who is who among nursing staff. If you cannot see the badge, ask them to show it to you. Our staff will not be offended if you ask them to identify themselves.

Your consultant

The doctor in charge of your medical care is called the consultant. They will discuss your condition with you and offer you the best available treatment. They will have a team of doctors and nurses working with them and a member of this team will see you every day.

If you want to know the name of the consultant please ask a member of the ward team. We are happy to be there with you when the consultant sees you.

Your nurse

You will have a nurse who is responsible for your nursing care.  They will also have help from the ward team.  If you want to know the nurse’s name please ask any team member.

Ward Sisters

The Ward Sister manages the whole ward and is supported by the ward manager. Please ask them if you have concerns.

Matrons

Our Matrons are senior nurses and each is in charge of a group of wards. Their job is to ensure that you receive high-quality care and that you are as comfortable as possible they can also help to solve a problem if the ward staff cannot.

Domestic staff

Our domestic staff make sure your ward is clean and that you get your meals, drinks and refreshments. If you have any worries about these things please ask any member of the housekeeping staff.

Students

North Bristol NHS Trust is a teaching Trust so student doctors may accompany your doctor. We also have other staff in training, including student nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

Students improve their clinical skills by working under the supervision of experienced staff and by having direct contact with patients. We may ask you to agree to be seen by a student doctor or other students and so help improve their clinical skills. Please be reassured that you can say no and this will not affect the care you receive.

Your doctor or a member of the clinical team might also ask you to take part in a clinical trial or research study. These are important for developing treatments for the future. Again, please be reassured that you can say no and this will not affect the care you receive. If you have any concerns or questions, please speak with your doctor or nurse. Students will not be making any decisions about your treatment.

How can I get my belongings while in hospital?

You should bring your belongings in with you when you come to hospital but, if you need something else or have forgotten something, a friend or family member can bring your belongings to the Patient Belongings Drop Off Point in the main entrance, just past the face mask stand as you come into the Brunel Building. The staff there will then send the belongings to the patient.

What to bring

Please bring any medicines, tablets or inhalers that you take, including prescriptions, medicines that you have brought or alternative medicines, such as herbal remedies, with you into hospital. It is vital that we know about all of your medication.

Other items to remember to bring with you to hospital include:

• Nightwear, dressing gown and slippers
• Comfortable shoes, daywear and underwear
• Tissues (more hygienic than handkerchiefs)
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant and any other toiletries such as shaving equipment
• Bath towel and a flannel/sponge
• Sanitary products such as tampons (if required)
• Chewing gum, if recommended by the ERAS team
• Something to read
• Any aid that you would normally use – for example, spectacles/contact lenses, walking frame, stick, crutches, wheelchair, prosthesis, CPAP machine
• Bottle of squash
• Private insurance details if appropriate
• Mobile phone and charger
• Small amount of money
• Items of religious or spiritual importance
• Admission letters and your NHS number.

What not to bring to hospital

Please do not bring:

• Large amounts of money
• Jewellery and valuable items or anything with strong sentimental value
• Television or radio
• Alcohol or tobacco.

If you have to bring valuables, please ask a nurse to store them safely for you. Please ensure that you get a receipt for your valuables. We are sorry, we cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to items that you did not give to us for safe-keeping.

Before you arrive at hospital, please make sure you tell us if you have any special requirements, for example:

• Are disabled/have mobility problems
• Eat a special diet
• Use special equipment, such as a hoist or a support chair
• Prefer to have written information in large print
• Want us to arrange for an interpreter to translate into a different language
• Want us to provide information through British Sign Language
• Any questions you may have
• If you wish to have a chaperone during your examination, please let us know. 

Please tell us as soon as possible if you cannot make the date we have given you by calling the number in the letter we sent with your admission details.

Don’t forget to cancel deliveries such as newspapers or milk and to make arrangements for pets.

If you receive a pension or State benefit please tell the Benefits Agency that you are coming into hospital.

Patient transport services

The patient transport service provides planned, non-emergency transport for eligible Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire patients to and from NHS hospitals and clinics, including outpatient departments, inter-hospital transfers, renal dialysis, oncology centres and your home. We may be experiencing delays for more information please visit the BNSSG (Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board) Patient support services page. 

It is only available for eligible patients for medical reasons. It is not available for trips to primary care services such as GP practices and is not part of the emergency ambulance service.

North Bristol NHS Trust’s Annual Reports,  Financial Statements and Annual Public Meeting

Earlier reports may be available by emailing Trust.Secretary@nbt.nhs.uk.

2023-2024

2022-2023

2021-2022

2020-2021

2019-2020

2018-2019

The Institute of Neurosciences at North Bristol NHS Trust is located in the Brunel building at Southmead Hospital Bristol.

The Institute is the regional centre for Neurological services serving the South West of England. It provides specialised services for a wide spectrum of Neurological conditions:

• Neurology
• Neuroradiology
• Neuropathology
• Neurosurgery
• Neuropsychiatry
• Neurophysiology
• Nursing
• Physiotherapy

Since the 1940s the Institute has consistently been at the forefront of technical advances. The service has an excellent national and international reputation, with patient referrals from across the South West, throughout the UK and worldwide.

Using the very latest cutting edge techniques the Neurosciences team treat a wide range of conditions, Some examples include the use of pioneering deep brain stimulation techniques for the treatment of functional disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, led by Professor Gill, and developing the use of robotic surgery to deliver drugs directly into the brain with pinpoint accuracy.

There are strong links with the University of Bristol with ground-breaking research into the treatment of conditions including Multiple Sclerosis and Dementia, and the wider use of deep brain stimulation in the field of Pain management and Depression.

In any case where a Subject Access Request for information under the individual right of access is denied, it may be possible to appeal against this decision. In the first instance we would want any such appeals to be referred for an in-house review by the Trust, but there will also be a right of appeal to the Information Commission.

Information Commission

Responsibility for overseeing the operation of the Act rests with the Information Commissioner who is an independent public official responsible directly to Parliament. As well as approving Publication Schemes and promoting compliance with the Act, the Commissioner has powers of enforcement.

Crown Copyright

The material available through this Publication Scheme is subject to the Trust's copyright unless otherwise indicated. Unless expressly indicated on the material to the contrary, it may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium, provided that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading manner. Where any of the copyright items in this Scheme are being published or copied to others, you must identify the source of the material and acknowledge the copyright status. Permission to reproduce material does not extend to any material accessed through the Publication Scheme that is the copyright of third parties. You must obtain authorisation to reproduce such material from the copyright holders concerned.

Environmental Information Regulations apply to any information which:

• Relates to the environment
• Is held in accessible form
• To be provided on request to any person who makes a request
• To be made available for inspection by every person, who wishes to inspect them

For the purpose of these regulations, information relates to the Environment if, and only if, it relates to any of the following:

• The state of the Water or Air
• The state of any Flora or Fauna
• The state of the Soil
• The state of any natural site or other land

In these regulations "information" includes anything in any records:

• "Records" include
• Registers
• Reports and returns
• Computer records
• Other records kept other than in a document

Making Environmental Information Available

It is the duty of the organisation to ensure that all information relating to this regulation be made available in accordance with the Freedom of Information procedures.

Information can also be found at www.direct.gov.uk/en/governmentcitizensandrights/yourrightsandresponsibilities/dg_4003239