News / Kingsdown
Bristol to get UK’s first ‘patient hotel’
Bristol is to get a unique hotel facility specifically for young patients receiving treatment at the Children’s Hospital.
Modelled on an idea already popular in Sweden, it will be the first facility of its kind in the UK
A planning application for the ‘patient hotel’ from The Grand Appeal has now been submitted to Bristol City Council after £2m in financial support has been raised by Jingle Jam, a charity founded by the Bristol-based Yogscast.
is needed now More than ever
The patient hotel on Southwell Street in Kingsdown opposite St Michael’s Hospital will have 12 ensuite rooms and be set up to provide care, rehabilitation therapy as well as accommodation for patients, offering “a lifeline, representing hope, comfort and a sense of normality during a health crisis”.
It is intended as a neighbouring site to Cots for Tots House, also on Southwell Street, which is an existing Grand Appeal accommodation for families of patients.
The new patient hotel is modelled on a Swedish idea – photo: Inspire Architects
Martin Gargan, clinical chair at the Children’s Hospital, said that the new patient hotel will “transform the care of vulnerable young patients”.
He said: “Children will be accommodated alongside their families, which will improve their wellbeing and reduce anxiety.
“Parents and caregivers will play an active role in their child’s therapy, building confidence and helping to improve their child’s outcomes on discharge.”
Jingle Jam trustee, Lewis Brindley, said: “It’s been an immense privilege fundraising for The Grand Appeal’s Patient Hotel over the past seven years.
“Everyone here at Jingle Jam will be so glad to see this incredible, essential project take its next step in becoming a reality.”
Nicola Masters, director of The Grand Appeal, added: “Our almost 30-year pioneering partnership with Bristol Children’s Hospital and Aardman has always been focussed on what we can do to help the hospital pioneer care for critically ill and sick babies and children.
“The Patient Hotel is our next step on that journey, whilst setting a new standard in the UK for children’s healthcare following intensive care and treatment in hospital.
“We are enormously grateful to Jingle Jam for their ongoing commitment over the past few years.
“The money they have raised through their annual Jingle Jam event towards funding this facility has been phenomenal and has only been made possible thanks to the thousands of gamers who have donated from all over the world and have passionately supported this project year after year.”
Main image: Inspire Architects
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