We are making major improvements to our hospitals so that we can improve the environment in which we provide excellent care. We are investing more than £150 million in modernising our buildings, alongside more than £16 million in support from our charitable partners, to transform the way in which we deliver care to our patients. 

The scheme includes the expansion and development of three significant parts of our estate - the Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre (BHOC), the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC) - also known as the Centralisation of Specialist Paediatrics (CSP) project - and the redevelopment and expansion of the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI). 

In early January, graffiti artists Anthony Donnelly and Peter Barber from Urban Canvas - a creative collective that design and deliver a broad range of creative projects across the UK - were commissioned by University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust to produce an artwork that spans the temporary hoardings outside the BRI.

Find out more and view the gallery of artwork.

The redevelopment of the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) includes an investment of £89 million in the construction of a new accommodation block to the rear of the existing Queen's Building, which will house new wards and an expanded intensive care unit. The project is being generously supported by
£3 million of charitable funding from Above & Beyond.   

Every part of the new accommodation block on Terrell Street is being designed around the needs of patients, visitors and staff to offer modern, welcoming, and supportive care in calm surroundings. The new accommodation block will more than double the number of single rooms available and eliminate the last of the nightingale wards in our Trust. These changes will bring huge benefits to patients by providing more privacy and dignity.    

With the most important services located close to one another patients will be treated quickly in one area and will not need to travel long distances through the hospital. The new accommodation block will include a purpose built short-stay unit; a state-of-the-art intensive care unit; a surgical floor; a medical floor, and a helipad on the roof of the Queen's Building. The new helipad will speed up emergency transfer times for critically ill and injured patients, transporting them to the specialist treatment they need as quickly as possible and increasing their chance of survival and a good recovery. 

A new Welcome Centre at the main entrance to the BRI will ensure that your journey into hospital will start in calming and reassuring environment. 

At the Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre (BHOC) we are spending £16 million on transforming care for cancer patients, to improve outcomes, extend life and enhance quality of life. 

The redevelopment will deliver three major initiatives including:

1. the creation of an integrated adult BMT, haematology and apheresis unit within a specialist unit, with the adult BMT services transferring over from the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. The apheresis unit will transfer from its current location at Southmead Hospital,
2. the development of a unit for teenagers and young adults with cancer, who will be able to have their unique needs catered for in an environment appropriate to their age,
3. the replacement of two radiotherapy bunkers which will enable us to use the most advanced equipment available.

These improvements are very generously supported by three charities - Above & Beyond, Teenage Cancer Trust and Friends of the BHOC. 

Dr Peter Wilde, Head of the Division of Specialised Services, says: "As Head of the Division that provides cancer services to the people of Bristol and beyond I am very proud that we have this opportunity to improve the facilities and equipment at the BHOC. The quality of the care we provide is excellent, but these improvements will give us state-of-the-art facilities."

Dr Alison Cameron, Macmillan teenage and young adults with cancer - lead doctor, says: "Teenagers and young adults with cancer have unique needs which are not currently met by either our paediatric or adult services. At this time of life a lot happens - personality develops, education completes, careers start, life partners are found and families begun. The effect of cancer at this time has huge impact.

"We want to improve both the survival and the quality of life of this vulnerable group of patients by providing an appropriate environment in which to treat them."

Dr Amit Bahl, lead clinician for the BHOC, says: "The development of adult bone marrow transplant services at the centre will improve care and outcomes for our patients. These services are currently provided at different sites and by moving them all to one place we will create a one-stop service for patients."

The Centralisation of Specialist Paediatrics project completes the final phase of the transfer of all children's services in Bristol to the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. This forms part of the overall Bristol Health Services Plan and meets a number of recommendations for the delivery of childrens services.

Currently children are treated for burns or brain injuries at the Barbara Russell Unit at Frenchay Hospital. Frenchay Hospital will no longer provide these treatments from 2014 and we are working towards a plan that will ensure these services are transferred to the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. To do this, the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children will be extended and modified to provide additional operating theatres, diagnostic facilities, intensive care beds as well as inpatient beds and outpatient facilities.

Find out more