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Bristol Royal Infirmary - Getting To and Getting Around The Hospital

Bristol Royal Infirmary, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS2 8HW

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital (Bristol Royal Infirmary)

  • By Road View
    • Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) is located in the centre of Bristol, on Upper Maudlin Street.
      From the M32 at J3, continue straight ahead along the A4032 and A4044 towards Bristol City Centre, until you reach St James Barton Roundabout (The Bearpit).
      At this roundabout, take the B4051 (Marlborough Street) towards Clifton.
      This road becomes Upper Maudlin Street after approximately 250m, at which point the hospital is immediately to your right.
      Please note that the hospital is situated within the Bristol Clean Air Zone (CAZ). Road user charges may apply for certain vehicles.
    • There are multiple hospital car parks surrounding the Bristol Royal Infirmary building.
      If visiting Zones A and B, the parking in this area is limited to 2 Blue Badge bays located directly outside the main hospital entrance, and a drop-off lane which is a no waiting zone.
      Alternatively, the nearest car park to this entrance would be Montague Hill South/Dighton Street.
      Patients are also directed to park in the Trenchard Street multi-storey car park which is 0.3 miles from the hospital.
      This is a public car park with pay and display parking.
      There are other car parks available that are located around the site, next to the individual smaller attached hospitals which any patient can park in, as long as you pay using the pay machines located within the car parks themselves or alternatively at any of the hospital main entrances.
  • By Bus View
    • Buses 13, B1, T7 and U1 stop directly in front of the hospital, on Upper Maudlin Street. The bus stop is located between the Zone A Level 2 Main Entrance and the Zone A Level 1 - Physiotherapy Entrance.
    • There is not an onsite bus stop.
  • By Train View
    • Clifton Down and Redland Stations are both 0.9 miles away, providing direct rail links to Bristol Temple Meads, Avonmouth, Severn Beach and Weston Super Mare.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance (Bristol Royal Infirmary)

  • To see the hospital map please click here (opens new tab).
  • There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
  • The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located on Level 2 in Zone A, in location A206.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 0117 342 1050.
  • The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is PALSandComplaints@uhbw.nhs.uk.
  • There are volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
  • Volunteers can be found by the main entrance on Level 2 in Zone A, as well as outside the Bristol and Weston Hospitals Charity Shop.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, different languages on request and audio on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are not available.
  • BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • A mobility scooter charging point is not available at the hospital.
  • Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs, walking frames, walking sticks, mobile hoists, hoist slings, adjustable beds and crutches.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact the main hospital reception.
  • There is a Changing Places facility at this hospital which is located on Level 2 in Zone A.
  • To view the Changing Places Accessibility Guide please click here.

Getting Around (Bristol Royal Infirmary)

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
    • There is a slight ramp, with no handrails, for access to all Zone B lifts from the Zone B Level 1 Main Entrance.
    • This ramp is located on the Level 1 corridor in Zone B, leading down to the lift lobby from the Zone B Level 1 Main Entrance.
    • There is a slight ramp, with no handrails, for access to locations A225-A228 on Level 2 in Zone A.
    • This ramp is located near to Lifts 20, 26 and 21, at the Zone A end of the "Balloon Corridor" on Level 2.
    • There is a slight ramp, with no handrails, for access to Zone B from Zone A on Level 3.
    • This ramp is located in the link corridor between Zone A and Zone B on Level 3.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is carpet and vinyl.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • Handrails are not provided in corridors.
    • Seating is provided in some corridors.
    • There is high visual contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Signage and Wayfinding View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
    • The wayfinding signage includes some pictograms.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
    • Maps are provided at key intersections.
    • The hospital is divided into two Zones - Zone A and Zone B.
      They are colour coded yellow and green on the map.
      All locations in Zone A are marked with the letter A, followed by a number, the first of which describes the level the service is on, e.g. Clinic A407 - Outpatients is located on Level 4 in Zone A. The same applies for locations in Zone B.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in public areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.

Other Floors (Emergency Department Only - Zone A - Next to Lifts 80 and 81)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on the third floor.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 2 and 3.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Lift (Zone A - Lift 80 and 81)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located on Level 2 in Zone A, along the corridor to the left as you enter via the Zone A Level 2 - Adult and Children Emergency Department Out of Normal Hours Entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the Zone A Level 2 - Adult and Children Emergency Department Out of Normal Hours Entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 1, 2, 3. Level 1 is for staff only.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is medium.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 130cm (4ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 139cm x 239cm (4ft 7in x 7ft 10in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.

Other Floors (Zone A - Next to Lifts 89, 90 and 91)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Lift (Zone A - Lifts 89, 90 and 91)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located straight ahead along the Zone A Main Corridor on Level 2 as you enter from the Zone A Level 2 Main Entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 41m (44yd 2ft) from the Zone A Level 2 Main Entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
  • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby on the second floor.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is low.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 197cm x 139cm (6ft 6in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.

Other Floors (Zone A - Next to Lifts 20, 26 and 21)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Level 10 is staff only.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Lift (Zone A - Lifts 20, 26 and 21)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located straight ahead along the main corridor as you enter from the Zone A Level 2 Main Entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 58m (63yd 1ft) from the Zone A Level 2 Main Entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 127cm (4ft 2in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 151cm x 248cm (4ft 11in x 8ft 2in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Other Floors (Zone B)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on the second floor, on the third floor, on the fourth floor, on the fifth floor and on the sixth floor.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Level 6 is staff only.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Lift (Zone B - Lift 2)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located halfway down the ramp in the corridor on Level 1 in Zone B.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the Zone B Level 1 Main Entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Level 6 is staff only.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The external lift controls are 82cm high on Level 1.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 131cm (4ft 4in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 167cm x 275cm (5ft 6in x 9ft).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Lift (Zone B - Lift 3 and 4)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located straight ahead along the corridor as you enter from the Zone B Level 1 Main Entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 21m (22yd 2ft) from the Zone B Level 1 Main Entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Level 6 is staff only.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 122cm (4ft).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 140cm x 218cm (4ft 7in x 7ft 2in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Amenities (Bristol Royal Infirmary)

  • Shops and Services View
    • The shops/services available include; WHSmith, M&S Simply Food, a pharmacy, a gift shop, a charity shop and coffee shops.
  • ATM Machines View
    • There is an/are ATM machine(s) available.
    • The ATM Machine(s) is/are located on Level 2 in Zone A, in location A213.
    • A low level ATM machine is not available.
  • Pay Phones and Charging Points View
    • Pay phones are not available.
    • Phone charging points are not available.
  • Public WiFi View
    • Free public WiFi is available.
    • To access the NHS WiFi, open your device's WiFi settings, select "NHS WiFi" and tick the box accepting the terms and conditions.
      You will then be connected to the free NHS WiFi.
  • TV Pre-Payment Machines View
    • There are no TV pre-pay machines for patients.
  • Additional Information View
    • There is a newspaper stand by the main reception and free taxi phones on Level 2 in Zone A.