
Bristol is home to several hospitals, including the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), a large teaching hospital in the city centre. The BRI is one of nine hospitals operated by the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, which formed in 2020 following a merger with Weston Area Health NHS Trust. Another hospital in Bristol is Southmead Hospital, part of the North Bristol NHS Trust, which provides healthcare to residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) |
| Type | Large teaching hospital |
| Location | Centre of Bristol, England |
| Affiliated University | University of Bristol, University of the West of England |
| Foundation Trust | University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust |
| Bristol Royal Infirmary Founded | 1735 |
| Opened | December 1737 |
| Address | Maudlin Lane (now Lower Maudlin Street) |
| Bristol Heart Institute Opened | 2009 |
| Bristol Royal Hospital for Children Extension | 2011 |
| Bristol Heart Institute Beds | 107 |
| Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre Beds | 49 |
| Helipad | Yes |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI)
The Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) is a large teaching hospital in the centre of Bristol, England. It was founded by public subscription in 1735, making it one of the oldest infirmaries in the United Kingdom. The infirmary opened on Maudlin Lane (now Lower Maudlin Street) in December 1737, initially treating 17 male and 10 female patients.
BRI has links with the nearby University of Bristol and the Faculty of Health and Social Care at the University of the West of England, also in Bristol. It is one of nine hospitals operated by the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, which was formed in April 2020 following the merger of University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and Weston Area Health NHS Trust.
BRI is located on the same site as the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, and Bristol Heart Institute (BHI). The Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre has 49 beds, while the Bristol Heart Institute has 107. BRI has seen several extensions and redevelopments over the years, including the opening of the Queen's Building extension in 1972 and the Bristol Heart Institute in 2009. In 2011, an £80 million redevelopment project was approved, which included the construction of a new ward block, a state-of-the-art intensive care unit, and a helipad on the roof of the Queen's Building.
The hospital has a rich history, including the work of Geoffrey Tovey, a serologist and founder of the UK Transplant Service, who worked at BRI shortly before the Second World War. During the First World War, the Memorial Wing at BRI was requisitioned by the War Office to create a facility for treating military casualties. BRI has also faced challenges, such as the Bristol heart scandal in the 1980s and 1990s, which led to increased emphasis on clinical governance within the NHS.
Turku University Hospital: Public or Private?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
The Trust is the major teaching trust in South-West England and is affiliated with several research institutions, including the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Unit in Nutrition, Diet and Lifestyle. UHBW also has partnerships with the University of Bristol, University of the West of England, and North Bristol NHS Trust for research and development. The Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity (BWHC), formerly known as Above & Beyond, fundraises for all UHBW hospitals, providing additional facilities and equipment for patients, their families, and staff.
Bristol Royal Infirmary, one of the hospitals managed by UHBW, has benefited from the charity's fundraising efforts. In 2013, BWHC launched the Golden Gift Appeal, raising £6 million for various projects at the infirmary and the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre. Another notable fundraising event was the Funny Bones comedy night in 2018, featuring performances from Russell Howard and Jon Richardson, which raised £100,000.
UHBW's city centre hospital sites are within the Bristol Clean Air Zone, and the Trust provides information on parking and public transport options for patients and visitors. Online appointment management is available through DrDoctor, offering a secure way for patients to manage their appointments and receive updates from the hospital teams.
Fieger's Health: Is He Still Hospitalized?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

North Bristol NHS Trust
The trust employs over 8,000 staff and delivers healthcare through several medical institutions, including Southmead Hospital, Cossham Hospital, and the Bristol Centre for Enablement, as well as through various community-based clinics. Southmead Hospital, located within the Brunel building, serves as the regional centre for neurological services in the South West of England and is home to the Institute of Neurosciences. The hospital has 800 beds and is easily accessible via public transport, with over 12 bus services stopping on-site or nearby. It also offers cycle parking and motorcycle parking. Southmead Hospital is also recognised for its gynaecological services, becoming the first site in the South West to own a dedicated gynaecological surgery robot.
In addition to medical services, North Bristol NHS Trust provides medical teaching facilities in association with the University of the West of England, Bristol University, and the University of Bath. The trust has also been recognised for its outstanding care in several areas. In September 2019, it received a rating of 'outstanding' for caring and 'good' overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The trust's Wellbeing Programme, funded by the Southmead Hospital Charity, offers a range of physical, psychological, and lifestyle support services and was recognised by the NHS Parliamentary Awards in 2019.
The Benefits of Semi-Private Hospital Rooms
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Southmead Hospital
The hospital has a dedicated Women and Children's division, with free parking available for women in active labour and their partners. Southmead Hospital also contains one of two adult Major Trauma Centres for South West England, providing specialist care and treatment for major trauma as part of the Severn Major Trauma Network. The hospital covers the former Avon county area, as well as parts of Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire.
The hospital has undergone several redevelopments and expansions over the years, including the construction of the Brunel Building extension in 2014, which added a new multi-storey car park, a cycle centre, and improved facilities for staff and visitors. The hospital is committed to patient convenience and has introduced online letters for appointments, accessible via smartphone, tablet or computer.
Mercy Hospital Iowa City: Closure or Continuation?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Bristol Royal Hospital for Children
The Bristol Royal Hospital for Children is the main children's hospital in Bristol, located on Upper Maudlin Street. The hospital was previously known as the Bristol Royal Hospital for Sick Children and was located on St Michael's Hill. The new hospital opened on 22 April 2001, at a cost of £30 million, with the aim of providing the most up-to-date facilities and overcoming difficulties faced by patients, families, and staff.
The Bristol Royal Hospital for Children offers a range of services, including a children's allergy clinic, neuroscience, scoliosis surgery, burns and plastic surgery, and neonatal intensive care. The hospital also has a neuro-rehabilitation unit, which was built in 2015 to support the moved services. The hospital is supported by the charity Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal, which fundraises exclusively for the hospital and has provided various programmes, equipment, and facilities for patients and their families.
The hospital is part of the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, which was formed in 2020 through the merger of University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and Weston Area Health NHS Trust. This trust is the major teaching trust in South-West England, serving the residents of Bristol and the surrounding areas.
The hospital is accessible by various modes of transport. It is served by over 12 bus services, with stops near the main entrance or nearby locations. Cycle parking is available, and detailed information can be found on the Southmead Hospital Bristol Site Map. The nearest train stations are Bristol Parkway, Filton Abbey Wood, and Temple Meads, which also provide bus connections to the hospital.
The Bristol Royal Hospital for Children has a Facebook page where people can share their stories and experiences. The hospital also offers the HANDi App, which provides advice on common childhood illnesses and can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play.
Hospital Indemnity Plans: Are They Worth the Cost?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) is a large teaching hospital in the centre of Bristol, England. It is one of nine hospitals operated by the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.
Southmead Hospital is a large hospital in North Bristol. It is served by over 12 bus services and has parking facilities. Another major hospital in Bristol is the Bristol Heart Institute, which is located on the same site as the Bristol Royal Infirmary.
The Bristol Royal Infirmary was founded by public subscription in 1735, making it one of the oldest infirmaries in the United Kingdom. It became part of the National Health Service in 1948 and has since undergone several extensions and redevelopments, including the addition of the Bristol Heart Institute in 2009 and a new ward block in 2011.
The Bristol Royal Infirmary is known for its links with the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England. It is also one of the major teaching trusts in South-West England. The hospital has been associated with several notable medical figures, including Geoffrey Tovey, a serologist and founder of the UK Transplant Service.
The Bristol Royal Infirmary is located in the city centre and can be easily accessed by public transport. Information about parking and public transport options is available on the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust website.











































