Bristol Royal Infirmary

I think it is very easy to criticise the NHS and these criticisms aren't always unwarranted. When we are experiencing a time of great turbulence in our health and we feel we didn't receive the level of care that was warranted it is easy to feel frustrated, let down and helpless. These are all emotions I have felt before in various other healthcare facilities. I'm pleased to say that I can't possibly offer enough praise to the BRI and the staff who offered me such exemplary service last night.I was told to go to A&E by my GP as I had a particularly nasty peritonsillar abscess. My partner and I were promptly checked into A&E and triaged in a swift and efficient manner. I'd like to personally thank Helena who did my observations and Stella the prescriber. They both cared for me during my short stay; maintaining the perfect balance between carrying out their duties as medical professionals and also showing a human side to their practice by building rapport with us.I was promptly given IV antibiotics and steroids while waiting for someone from ENT. The potential frustration and anxiety I could have experienced in the several hours waiting for an ENT assessment was attenuated by the kind staff who made sure to periodically check up on me and reassure me. In that time, as a fellow healthcare professional, I could see staff moving with a sense of purpose and hear the great level of care that they were proving to the other patients. The way they reassured and built rapport with patients while treating them was heartwarming to see.When I was finally seen by ENT, Megan was nothing short of brilliant. She perfectly encapsulates the qualities that the best healthcare professionals should have; providing her expert medical input, putting patient centered care first and ensuring I was involved in my own healthcare decisions. I have never felt more at peace with giving someone consent to insert a, rather horror movie-esque, needle into my throat to drain the abscess. Once the procedure was complete she took the time to explain my prognosis and the antibiotic course that I would be commencing.I entered the BRI with a niggling sense of anxiety as I had been to another A&E department in the UK before with this same problem roughly 5 years ago. I was not seen and treated in a way that I personally felt was appropriate (that being- not at all). With hindsight, after having this new experience to use for comparison, I can now see what the standard of care I should have received was.As someone who provides care for patients in a community setting, I know all too well how stressful and draining it can be to put the needs of patients before your own. This is compounded by the desire to maintain a stalwart and unfazed appearance. I know that in hospitals, especially A&E, everything I have just said is multiplied ten-fold.As I sit here writing out this novel of a review, I am no longer in any sort of pain or discomfort. I can breathe normally again, eat and drink again, speak again; I can live my life again. Thank you to the BRI.

I just took a glimpse at the BRI on lineAnd in my experience it's one of the more up to date hospital in the west of England.Well done the Bristol Royal Infirmary....

Can not thank all the medical staff in ICU A600 enough. Their kindness, patience and reassuring attitudes helped my dad and our family so much. We would like to say a BIG thank you to all staff, especially Rosie the nurse, Tasha the nurse, the doctor (I am really sorry we do not know your name) who was with dad for his heart operation on Monday morning, Hannah the sister nurse and the male receptionist on A600. Thank you so much, this ward is really something else. You truly are a great team.

My brother was taken by ambulance to the BRI after a fall at home on 05/11/2023.He was taken to ward A300.I’d like to thank the staff for being so helpful and kind especially Elina who did everything she could to make our visit as pleasant as possible.

The doctor's are some of rudest I've ever met. They're bullies, the nursing staff are very helpful. They really try and help patients, and they don't judge or make assumptions. The doctors border on the incompetent. I was coughing up blood after a fall and they were not professional or helpful. They didn't spot that I crushed my ribs.

Found myself referred to the BRI by the Out of Hours 111 GP service recently. Taken by ambulance I was lucky enough not to have to wait in a crowded A&E dept on a Saturday night! Considering how busy they were, amazing care by all staff, returning home in the early hours a small price to pay for free NHS emergency treatment. Thank you BRI!

Appaling service.Being urgently visited, wrongly diagnosed, called back and had to be visited once again by someone different. Referral was cancelled with no reason, being left waiting for two weeks with no explanation and without proper therapy treatment to follow. When enquired, every single person on the phone could not help me, instead have been bounce to and fro from one department to the other by phone operators. All of them carefully trained on how to avoid conflict but very willing to be condescending and skillfully pass the issue to someone else, somewhere else.Uncertain about the proper healing process of my wounds, rehab and whatnot.An utter joke and a spit on the face to what the NHS represents on a human level.Shame on you.

Very helpful staff. There's a huge building to navigate when you get in there but it's pretty well signposted. Quite a long walk to the lifts and then along corridors to reach the department you need. So for people with mobility issues, bear that in mind. However the staff can provide wheelchairs if required. Ground floor has an M&S and coffee shop (closes at 5pm), plus there's another place for snacks and drinks on the 5th floor which is open later.All in all, quite a friendly, busy place.

I had a wonderful experience at A+E. I felt like I was clutches from death, and the hour and a half wait before being seen was like being stuck in purgatory but that's something completely out of their control. And once I reached the other side, I saw how efficiently they all worked and also how damn friendly they all were despite the stressful work environment!!I want to give a big thankyou to Doctor Ram, who's bedside manner is top tier. His friendliness made me feel so much better about myself, and he was the most informative person I spoke to all day without needing questioning. His colleague Doctor Laura was also incredibly friendly and had a great sense of humour too. She made me feel very comfortable and was very patient with me as my throat was completely seized up and getting words out was very difficult. Not once did she make me feel rushed.2 other shoutouts go to Amy and Jesus for responding straight away to any difficulties I was having and doing so in a timely manner and with a smile on their face. It really really goes a long way to feel like you're not being a nuisance, and I felt genuinely safe in their care.I was administered around 8pm on 24/02/22. Thanks a lot to everyone :)