Southmead Hospital

Everyday living
1

Hi,

Advice please. Have an appointment with Dr Cottrell next week. First one at Southmead - used to go to Frenchay.

Have heard horror stories about parking and having to walk miles. Have any of you been? Any helpful suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

xx

2

I have been to Southmead Hospital a few times over the last few months - both the old one and the new one.

The parking was impossible before the merger with Frenchay. I was at the new hospital in the week it opened, and parking was a complete nightmare! I believe it’s improving all the time as more parking spaces have been made available.

I was seen in the main building, The Brunel Building, and have not been to the BrAMS clinic so I don’t know what it’s like actually getting there specifically. I hope it’s OK as I have an appointment in August!

I’d say, leave plenty of time for parking, and assume it’ll be a longer walk than you’d like when you get there. The last time I went I got a taxi for the 10-15 minute jouney from my home. Sounds bizzare for a motorist who live only a few miles away. But I can’t cope with worring about parking! I’m lucky in that my boyfriend can drop me off for my next appointment so no parking worries or long walks - Martin has to worry about that!

I’m interested to know how the parking is now, and what BrAMS’s new home is like!

Take care - don’t forget that the parking situation should be getting better all the time as buildings are pulled down and new parking areas made to replace them.

3

I have been to Southmead Hospital today as a Outpatient. I parked easily on Beaufort car park caught shuttle bus to main building with no problems. Scanned in straight to Neuroscience Dept, sat down name came up on screen ,all 3 tests done in 45 min.Very quick in and out.Shuttle bus back to car ,in and out 75 min.

Graham

4

Hello, I saw Dr Cottrell in the Monks park house, Brams building only yesterday. As you come in Monks Park Avenue entrance, it is the first building on your right. Brams and neurology outpatients are the same entrance, door right at the front in the middle of the building. There’s a big sign, a wheelie ramp and handrails too. It’s clearly not as wheel friendly as the Frenchay Brams, but I presume, (hope?), they will have a method for all the patients to access the building. All the Brams staff are there. Parking was ok, went 30 minutes early, sat waiting for people returning to their cars and I got parked after 5 minutes, literally outside the Brams front door. if you have a blue badge, parking is free and without time limit too! If not it is £3 for two hours, sorry did not look at fees for longer. I hope it is as easy for you too! Sian

5

Thanks for all your responses. Feeling a bit more reassured now. I was nervous the first time I went to Frenchay but that soon became familiar. Hopefully Southmead will be the same.

I’ll keep you posted EllenC.

Thanks again. Love this forum.

Ann xx

6

Thanks for all your responses. Feeling a bit more reassured now. I was nervous the first time I went to Frenchay but that soon became familiar. Hopefully Southmead will be the same.

I’ll keep you posted EllenC.

Thanks again. Love this forum.

Ann xx

7

Quote=Sian5]Hello, I saw Dr Cottrell in the Monks park house, Brams building only yesterday. As you come in Monks Park Avenue entrance, it is the first building on your right. Brams and neurology outpatients are the same entrance, door right at the front in the middle of the building. There’s a big sign, a wheelie ramp and handrails too. It’s clearly not as wheel friendly as the Frenchay Brams, but I presume, (hope?), they will have a method for all the patients to access the building. All the Brams staff are there. Parking was ok, went 30 minutes early, sat waiting for people returning to their cars and I got parked after 5 minutes, literally outside the Brams front door. if you have a blue badge, parking is free and without time limit too! If not it is £3 for two hours, sorry did not look at fees for longer. I hope it is as easy for you too! Sian[/quote]

It was! Took a wrong turn according to the Satnav and ended up by Monks Park House. Had to circle a few times for parking space but otherwise fine.

Apt went well too. Bladder scan needed but apart from that I don’t need to go back for 9 months.

Thanks for the advice.