North Bristol NHS Trust's (NBT) Medical Photography department provides photography and video recordings.

Clinicians may refer patients for photography and video to:

• Brunel building, Southmead Hospital, Level 3, Gate 38, where there are 2 purpose built studios
• On location in wards, theatres and clinics.

If you would like more information or have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.

The Medical Photography department undertakes a wide variety of both clinical and non-clinical photography and video recording. The department also offers an ophthalmic service including OCT and fundus photography.

Patients are either referred to the department, where we have studio and ophthalmic facilities, or we also visit wards, theatres, clinics and outpatients departments. 

Patients attending for photography at the Medical Photography department, G38 in the Brunel building do not need to book an appointment and are seen on a first come first served basis. If you have been referred with a ‘Consent to medical photography/recordings’ form then please bring this with you. Please arrive between 9.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9.30am and 4pm on Friday.

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All staff regularly participate in additional training. Some staff work in rotational posts that offer movement between specialities in order to develop a broad skill base.

All Physiotherapists working within the trust are fully qualified and have completed a three or four-year degree or diploma and are registered with the Health Professions Council.

Some physiotherapists have gone on to complete further postgraduate training and may have Masters of Science (MSc) or other degrees.

Head of Physiotherapy
Kat Binns
Kathryn.Binns@nbt.nhs.uk

• We have a fully equipped gym and offer rehabilitation and specialist classes.
• We have a Hydrotherapy pool for rehabilitation.
• We deliver specialised Vestibular rehabilitation services with close links to audiology.
• We have close relationships with orthopaedic and rheumatology consultants.
• We are involved in National Research Trials e.g. MINT trial researching whiplash disorders.
• Several staff are recognised nationally as lecturers in their specialist areas at both under and postgraduate levels.

North Bristol NHS Trust is the main centre for elective (planned) orthopaedic surgery for Bristol and its surrounding areas and we offer a comprehensive service. This includes rehabilitation following complex joint reconstruction, oncology resection, primary and revision joint surgery and Joint stabilising surgery.

North Bristol NHS Trust is the regional centre for renal care and we offer a dedicated renal physiotherapy service.

• We have an excellent dedicated inpatient amputee service with close links to the Disablement Services Centre.
• We are a specialist site for all medical respiratory services in North Bristol.
• We have well-equipped inpatient gyms.
• We offer a specialised cardiology physiotherapy service.
• We offer specialist lecturing to undergraduates on amputee rehabilitation and orthopaedics and trauma.
• We deliver a specialised stroke rehabilitation service that is led by a clinical specialist physiotherapist.

Extended scope practitioners are physiotherapy clinical specialists, with an extended scope of practice. This means that they can undertake duties such as ordering investigations like X-rays or blood tests and can refer to other health care professionals.

At North Bristol NHS Trust we have 11 Extended Scope Practitioners working alongside our rheumatology and orthopaedic consultants, with additional staff employed in neurosciences and accident and emergency.

We also have several staff working as advanced practitioners and clinical specialists in different areas e.g. stroke.

North Bristol NHS Trust Physiotherapy provides a skilled and dynamic service with a commitment to delivering high quality, evidence based care. We maintain our excellent standards by having a commitment to training and development, ensuring that all staff are highly skilled.

We have excellent facilities and deliver our services in variety of different areas including: 

• Medical Rehabilitation including stroke and neurological problems
• Head Injury 
• Surgical Rehabilitation including vascular surgery
• Intensive Care and Respiratory
• Burns and Plastics
• Hands
• Pain Services
• Major Trauma
• Acute and Community paediatrics
• Musculoskeletal outpatients
• Elective orthopaedic surgery e.g. hip replacements Rheumatology
• Women’s health.

AAC WEST

AAC WEST, as one of 15 national specialised services, is able to carry our Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Assessments. We receive funding from NHS England to meet the needs of both children and adults in the South West of England.

Who can refer?

Referrals to AAC WEST will only be accepted from speech and language therapists working with people with communication difficulties.

If you do not have a speech and language therapist involved with your care, then please contact your GP who can refer you to your local service.

Please note we do not accept referrals from Independent Therapists; you must be employed by a CCG or Statutory Body to make a referral. 

How do I refer?

All referrals should be made using the appropriate referral form which must be fully completed, please ensure they are completed electronically and not by hand. They should also be accompanied by a short video and preferably by any relevant and current reports. Please note that if you are re-referring your patient, but they have not been seen by our service for more than 3 years please complete the full referral form to give us more up to date information to aid our assessment.

Download:

New/Full Referral Form (To be completed by Speech & Language Therapists only)

Current New/Full Referral Form being used and accepted by the service is Referral dated – January 2025

Symbols for supporting consent conversations about information sharing.

(LSLTs will need to create additional symbols e.g. for specific family members as needed.)

Re-referral Form (To be completed by Speech & Language Therapists Only)

Triage Loan Referral Form (To be complete by Speech and Language Therapists only)

Existing Service Users - If mounting only is required please use the following referral form (Can be completed by anyone e.g Family members, Friends, Care staff, Teachers etc):

Please note: we are unable to process any referrals that do not have the GP details or patients NHS number or are hand written. Any referrals received without these details will be rejected.

What about funding?

People who meet the criteria for a specialist assessment will have their communication aid assessment and any equipment identified at the end of the assessment funded by AAC WEST.

To find out more about the criteria visit the Communication matters website.

Our service is nationally commissioned by NHS England, and the service specification can also be seen on the NHS England Website.

The hospital specialist palliative care team works alongside ward doctors, nurses and other health care professionals in supporting people with life-limiting illnesses (cancer and non-cancer) and their families. We can discuss illnesses and treatments that may be offered in as much or as little detail as our patients wish and we will support and listen to any concerns.

We can offer advice about managing symptoms and provide support for psychological, spiritual, social and practical concerns. Where appropriate we work closely with our colleagues in the local community palliative care team and hospice and with other specialists involved in your care. Our aim is to achieve the best possible quality of life for patients with life-limiting illness and their families.

The team work Monday to Saturday and some bank holidays 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. The team can be contacted by hospital teams outside of these hours for advice and support to ensure the best care for patients.

Consultants

Dr Anitia Brigham - Clinical Lead

Dr Laura Bernstein 

Dr Maggie Presswood

Dr Natasha Lovell

Specialist Doctors

Dr Katie Markkanen

Dr Jennifer Gardiner 

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Shona Mcintosh and Lisa Thomas Trust End of Life and Palliative Care Lead Nurses

Carol Cappell

Amanda Herman

Alice Monument

Lucy Rolt

Kate Allchorne

Elaine Walsh

Emma-Claire Breen

Administrator: Hannah Hopewell

Telephone: 0117 4140519

Email: palliativecare@nbt.nhs.uk

We will respond to all messages as soon as we are able but please note this may not be until the next working day. 

Conditions Treated:

• Colorectal diseases
• Colon and rectal cancer
• Inflammatory bowel disease (colitis and Crohns disease)
• Diverticular disease
• Colostomies and ileostomies
• Anorectal disorders (haemorrhoids, fissure, fistula, rectal prolapse, faecal incontinence)
• Hernias

What you can do to practically care for someone who is in their last days and hours of life

The Helix Centre website offers some practical advice to those caring for someone in their last days to hours of life. Please visit there website for more information. 

Financial Support 

Managing finances can be a major problem for patients and families, due to loss of income because of the inability to work. Additional expenditure can arise from the cost of travel, disrupted routine, cost of equipment, aids or additional household appliances, special dietary requirements, child care and increased household bills.

The Palliative Care Team can support patients and their families to understand what is available and how to apply for non-means tested benefits such as Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment (PIP). 

The Citizens Advice Bureau can be contacted for advice. Contact number: 08444 994718 www.citizensadvice.org.uk 

For guidance and claim forms for benefits visit the DWP website www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/disability
Freephone: 0800 882 200

Macmillan Cancer Support 

The Macmillan Cancer Support Helpline provides practical, medical, emotional and financial support. Contact 0808 808 0000.
Macmillan also produces a booklet called ‘Help With the Cost of Cancer: a guide to benefits and financial help for people affected by cancer. Macmillan Benefit Advisers are based at Southmead Hospital on certain days. They can advise patients who have a cancer diagnosis about eligibility for any benefits or grants.

Some people may be eligible for a Macmillan grant which is a one-off payment for adults, young people or children with cancer, to cover a wide range of practical needs. This can include things such as heating bills, extra clothing, or for a much-needed break. Find out more information by visiting the Macmillan website. at www.macmillan.org.uk

Age UK provides information and fact sheets for older people on topics such as benefits, community care and housing. Information line freephone: 0800 009966 or 0800 1696565 or visit the Age UK website. 

Carers UK offers advice and support for carers throughout the UK, including help with benefits and finances. Carersline freephone: 0808 808 7777 or visit the Carers UK website.

Carers Information 

A carer is someone who regularly provides a lot of help for, or looks after a partner, relative or friend to support them in returning to and remaining at home. We recognise that caring for someone with palliative or end of life needs can be difficult. The local authority has a duty to assess the needs of carers. Find out more about carers information.