Priory Hospital Bristol - NHS services

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About this location

Located in a grade two listed building within a secluded area, Priory Hospital Bristol offers rehabilitation and recovery (R&R), acute, psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) and eating disorder services to adult males and females.

We are an ideal place for treating patients with complex disorders, including those who may not have responded to previous treatment, and we can guarantee that our comprehensive treatment programmes are guided by the very latest psychological research.

Services at a glance

Rehabilitation and recovery (R&R)

14 beds, male and female, 18+

Acute

33 beds, 3 wards, male and female

Adult eating disorders

10 beds, male and female, 18+

PICU

10 beds, male, 18+

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Priory Hospital Bristol Heath House Lane Stapleton Bristol BS16 1EQ
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Services

Our comprehensive rehabilitation services provide support for people with complex mental health needs. We align our services with the recommendations of the Joint Commissioning Panel for Mental Health (JCPMH), ensuring our patients are given the highest quality care to enable an appropriate transition back home or into community services, wherever possible.

We strive to deliver patient-centred, holistic care in order to support our patients to become more independent. Our culture of excellence and quality, alongside our safe, secure and caring environment, allows us to do this.

Ward break down

Hillside Ward – 14-bedded ward for male and female

Conditions treated

We are able to support people with:

  • Severe and enduring mental health needs
  • Personality disorders
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Psychosis
  • Self-harm
  • Substance misuse
  • Neuropsychiatric needs
  • Dementia

We can also support people who present with the following challenges alongside their primary diagnosis:

  • A learning disability
  • Autism
  • Physical disabilities
  • Sexual offending

We are able to support people who are detained under the Mental Health Act (MHA).

Treatment approaches

At Bristol, we offer an individualised, person-centred approach to all of our patients. Our main goal is to improve the confidence and quality of life of the people staying with us, allowing them to step down successfully into the community.

Our assessment and treatment options are overseen by a full and diverse multidisciplinary team (MDT).

We offer:

  • Positive behaviour support (PBS)
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
  • Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT)
  • Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
  • Occupational therapy (OT)
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
  • Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
  • Music therapy
  • Art therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Family therapy
  • Trauma informed therapy
  • Community focused rehabilitation

People within our service can stay with us on a short-term, transitional or long-term basis, depending on individual needs.

Our team

Our team consists of:
  • Physical health doctor
  • Physiotherapist
  • Speech and language therapist (SaLT)
  • Music and art therapist
  • Dietitian
  • Psychologist
  • Occupational therapist (OT)

Therapeutic and community-based activities

We offer a range of therapeutic and community-based activities as part of a full treatment programme. We want to support people to become more confident and independent, preparing them to move through their treatment pathway towards community living.

Our therapeutic and community-based activities include:

  • Fitness activities
  • OT support
  • Community activities
  • Real work opportunities for patients to develop their skills working on-site
  • Gardening
  • Faith-based celebration days
  • Wellbeing walks
  • Patient donation shop

Our facilities and environment

We believe that the environment in which treatment takes place is just as important as the treatment itself, when it comes to supporting our patients. We provide:

 

Kitchen and dining room
Music room
Art room
Garden
Lounge
Female-only lounge
Gym facilities

 

Our garden offers secure fencing, a patio area with furniture, a lawn, a shelter, sensory items and planting areas. We also have specialised equipment within the hospital, such as sensory lighting, bean bags, interactive walls, adjustable kitchen counter tops, hoists and height-adjustable baths, for people to use.

Our bedrooms

All of our bedrooms are single-occupancy and have an en-suite bathroom. Patients are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms while they are staying with us. We provide:

 

Anti-ligature furniture
Safe rooms
Windows with a view
TV
Desk
Wheelchair access
Wet rooms available

 

Exclusion profile

  • People under the age of 18
  • History of arson
  • History of sexual offending

Pathways

Priory’s network of high quality facilities enables us to offer joined-up care pathways with our dedicated residential services. We offer programmes which integrate healthcare treatment and therapy, which are tailored according to individual needs, in an appropriate setting. Our strength is that we can provide a seamless transition for the individual as they progress between higher and lower dependency services.

People in our R&R service are supported to step down into the community, whenever possible.

Our acute services offer round-the-clock assistance in times of emergencies. Our specialist inpatient acute teams are committed to providing the highest quality of care, supporting patients with a wide range of mental health conditions in safe and highly therapeutic environments.

Ward break down

  • 33-bedded hospital, split across 3 wards, male and female

Conditions treated

We are able to support people with:

  • Complex mental health needs
  • Autism
  • Personality disorders
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Psychosis
  • Self-harm
  • Substance misuse
  • Schizophrenia
  • Violence and aggression

We can also support people who present with the following challenges alongside their primary diagnosis:

  • Sexual offending
  • Mild to moderate physical disabilities

We are able to support informal patients or those detained under the MHA.

Treatment approaches

At Bristol, we offer an individualised, person-centred approach to all of our patients. Our aim is to successfully support people from admission to discharge, developing treatment and care plans to enable them to fulfil their potential in the community

 

Our assessment and treatment options are overseen by a full and diverse MDT.

 

We offer:
  • PBS
  • CAT
  • DBT
  • OT
  • ACT
  • IPT
  • Music therapy
  • Art therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Family therapy
  • Trauma informed therapy
People within our acute service can stay with us on a short-term or transitional basis, depending on their needs.

Our team

Our team consists of:
  • Ward manager
  • Deputy ward managers
  • Senior nurses
  • Nurses
  • Healthcare assistants
  • Consultants psychiatrists
  • Specialty doctors
  • Psychologists
  • Assistant psychologists
  • OT
  • OT assistants
  • Psychotherapists and counsellors
  • Fitness instructors
  • Holistic therapy practitioners
  • Yoga instructors
  • Activities co-ordinator
  • Physiotherapist
  • Dietitian

Therapeutic and community-based activities

We offer a range of therapeutic and community-based activities as part of a full treatment programme. We want to support people to become more confident and independent, preparing them to move through their treatment pathway towards community living.

Our therapeutic and community-based activities include:

  • Fitness activities
  • OT support
  • Community activities
  • Real work opportunities for patients to develop their skills working on-site
  • Gardening
  • Faith-based celebration days
  • Wellbeing walks
  • Patient donation shop
  • Wellbeing service

Our facilities and environment

We believe that the environment in which treatment takes place is just as important as the treatment itself, when it comes to supporting our patients. We provide:

 

Kitchen and dining room
Art room
Garden
Lounge
Female-only lounge
Gym facilities

 

Our garden offers secure fencing, a patio area with furniture, a lawn, a shelter, sensory items, multi sports equipment and planting areas. We also have specialised equipment within the hospital, such as sensory rooms and lighting, bean bags, interactive walls and adjustable kitchen counter tops, for people to use.

Our bedrooms

All of our bedrooms are single-occupancy and have an en-suite bathroom. Patients are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms while they are staying with us. We provide:

 

Anti-ligature furniture
Safe rooms
Windows with a view
TV
Desk
Wheelchair access

 

Exclusion profile

People under the age of 18.

Pathways

Priory’s network of high quality facilities enables us to offer joined-up care pathways with our dedicated residential services. We offer programmes which integrate healthcare treatment and therapy, which are tailored according to individual needs, in an appropriate setting. Our strength is that we can provide a seamless transition for the individual as they progress between higher and lower dependency services.

People can transition to our acute service from our on-site PICU service, where appropriate. We can then facilitate pathways from our acute service into our R&R service, when people are ready.

Priory is the UK's largest independent provider of adult eating disorder services and we pride ourselves on offering quality, personalised treatment for every person we support.

Ward break down

  • Lotus Ward – 10-bedded ward for males and females with an eating disorder

Conditions treated

We are able to support people with:

  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Bulimia nervosa
  • Binge eating disorder (BED)
  • Other specified feeding or eating disorders

We can also support people with the following challenges alongside their primary eating disorder diagnosis:

  • Acute mental health needs
  • Physical health needs
  • Autism

We are able to support informal patients or those detained under the MHA.

Treatment approaches

At Bristol, we offer an individualised, person-centred approach to all of our patients. Our aim is to successfully support patients to integrate back into their community.

We specialise in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding and we are also developing a service line to support neurodiverse people, and people with neurophysical needs.

We are also accredited by the Quality Network for Eating Disorders (QED).

Our assessment and treatment options are overseen by a full and diverse MDT.

We offer:

  • PBS
  • CBT
  • CAT
  • DBT
  • OT
  • ACT
  • IPT
  • Music therapy
  • Art therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Family therapy
  • Trauma informed therapy

People within our service tend to stay with us on a short-term, transitional or long-term basis, depending on individual needs.

Our team

Our team consists of:
  • Ward manager
  • Deputy ward managers
  • Senior nurses
  • Nurses
  • Physical health nurse
  • Healthcare assistants
  • Consultants psychiatrists
  • Specialty doctors
  • Psychologists
  • Assistant psychologists
  • OT
  • OT assistants
  • Psychotherapists and counsellors
  • Fitness instructors
  • Holistic therapy practitioners
  • Yoga instructors
  • Activities co-ordinator
  • Physiotherapist
  • Dietitian

Therapeutic and community-based activities

We offer a range of therapeutic and community-based activities as part of a full treatment programme. We want to support people to become more confident and independent, preparing them to move through their treatment pathway towards community living.

Our therapeutic and community-based activities include:

  • Fitness activities and access to gym equipment, with supervision
  • OT support
  • Community activities
  • Real work opportunities for patients to develop their skills working on-site
  • Gardening
  • Faith-based celebration days
  • Wellbeing walks
  • Patient donation shop
  • Wellbeing service
  • Graded exposure in the community

Our facilities and environment

We believe that the environment in which treatment takes place is just as important as the treatment itself, when it comes to supporting our patients. We provide:

 

Kitchen and dining room
Games room
Music room
Art room
Garden
Female-only lounge
Lounge
Gym facilities

 

Our garden offers secure fencing, a patio area with furniture, a lawn, a shelter, sensory items and planting areas. We also have specialised equipment within the hospital, such as sensory rooms and lighting, bean bags, interactive walls and adjustable kitchen counter tops, for people to use.

Our bedrooms

All of our bedrooms are single-occupancy and have an en-suite bathroom. Patients are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms while they are staying with us. We provide:

 

Anti-ligature furniture
Safe rooms
Windows with a view
TV
Desk
Wheelchair access

 

Exclusion profile

  • People under the age of 18
  • History of arson
  • History of sexual offending

Pathways

Priory’s network of high quality facilities enables us to offer joined-up care pathways with our dedicated residential services. We offer programmes which integrate healthcare treatment and therapy, which are tailored according to individual needs, in an appropriate setting. Our strength is that we can provide a seamless transition for the individual as they progress between higher and lower dependency services.

Our PICU services have been designed to support people in a severe phase of illness, who cannot be managed in acute services. Our dedicated PICU services place us at the forefront of specialised intensive care, and our highly trained teams can support people with complex needs and challenging behaviours, along with co-existing issues (such as substance misuse).

Ward break down

Purdown Ward – 10-bedded ward for males

Conditions treated

We are able to support people with:

  • Complex mental health needs
  • Autism
  • Personality disorders
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Psychosis
  • Self-harm
  • Substance misuse
  • Schizophrenia
  • Violence and aggression

We can also support people who present with the following challenges alongside their primary diagnosis:

  • A moderate learning disability
  • Physical disabilities

We are able to support informal patients or those detained under the MHA.

Treatment approaches

At Bristol, we offer an individualised, person-centred approach to all of our patients. Our aim is to help to stabilise the people who are staying with us and allow them to be discharged successfully into onward treatment.

Our assessment and treatment options are overseen by a full and diverse MDT.

We offer:

  • PBS
  • CBT
  • CAT
  • DBT
  • OT
  • ACT
  • IPT
  • Music therapy
  • Art therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Family therapy
  • Trauma informed therapy

People within our service tend to stay with us on a short-term and transitional basis.

Therapeutic and community-based activities

We offer a range of therapeutic and community-based activities as part of a full treatment programme. We want to support people to become more confident and independent, preparing them to move through their treatment pathway towards community living. Activities include:

  • Cooking
  • Baking and coffee mornings
  • Walking and community trips
  • Board games
  • Quizzes
  • Gardening
  • Music
  • Pool
  • Table tennis and exercise classes
  • Mindfulness and coping strategies

Our team

  • Consultant psychiatrists
  • Registered mental health nurses and registered general nurses
  • Health care assistants
  • Occupational therapy assistant
  • Fitness instructor

Our facilities and environment

We believe that the environment in which treatment takes place is just as important as the treatment itself, when it comes to supporting our patients. We provide:

 

Kitchen and dining room
Games room
Art room
Music room
Garden
Lounge

 

Our garden offers secure fencing, a patio area with furniture, a lawn, a shelter, sensory items and planting areas. We also have specialised equipment within the hospital, such as sensory rooms and lighting, and bean bags, for people to use.

Our bedrooms

All of our bedrooms are single-occupancy and have an en-suite bathroom. Patients are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms while they are staying with us. We provide:

 

Anti-ligature furniture
Safe rooms
Windows with a view
TV
Desk
Wheelchair access

 

Exclusion profile

  • People under the age of 18
  • History of arson

Pathways

Priory’s network of high quality facilities enables us to offer joined-up care pathways with our dedicated residential services. We offer programmes which integrate healthcare treatment and therapy, which are tailored according to individual needs, in an appropriate setting. Our strength is that we can provide a seamless transition for the individual as they progress between higher and lower dependency services.

When they are ready, people within our PICU service can transition to our on-site acute service.

Contact us for help, referrals or more information

At Priory, we want to ensure we provide the very best service to each individual we support. Contact us for more information, or to make a referral.

Call Us
Tap on a number to call
Make a referral

Hear from patients and experts

Learn about Priory eating disorder services
Inside Priory Hospital Bristol

About the local area

Amenities

Priory Hospital Bristol is located close to a variety of amenities, including:

  • Local park
  • Library
  • College
  • Bristol city centre
  • Shops and cafés
  • Support groups
  • GP surgery

Transport links

It also has excellent transport links, including:

  • Local bus station
  • Located 5 minutes away from Bristol Parkway train station and 10 minutes away from Bristol Temple Meads train station
  • Nearby motorway network, providing access to the South West, Wales and London

A message from our site leader

We take pride in supporting our patients to be at the centre of their care and treatment. Our experienced and empathic teams work with their patients to engage in the best treatment available, supporting them to achieve sustainable positive change. We care about our patients and their families, each other and the work we do.

Comments from our patients and their family and friends

I really cannot express my gratitude to you and the work you do for the change in my life. I often find myself repeating things I learned with you, both in my internal dialogue and in support of others. You are really supportive, caring, reassuring and honest - you genuinely want what is best for us. Consistently amazing. I want to recognise the excellent care I received on the ward. Thank you for your kindness, understanding and compassion
Patient at Priory Hospital Bristol
In this vast institution where paths intertwine, we watched our fellow embark on their next chapter, as they shine. They have left their mark, leaving their wisdom and kindness as they opened up our hearts. Now beginning to learn how to exist apart. So thank you to the people who supported us through this difficult departure. For a dedicated team of staff paved the way towards our surrender. You offered solace as tears filled our eyes. Navigating through the maze of emotions, your presence a comforting guise. Your patience and understanding is an unwavering force. Filling us with gratitude for showing us endless compassion alongside boundless support. There we say our thanks for encouraging us in this journey of growth whilst holding down the fort.
A poem from a former patient
Staff, WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU!
Former patient

Information for family and friends

How do home visits work?

We support people who are staying with us to attend family events and visit home. We will work with them and their relatives to ensure possible risks are managed and that everyone is supported. Each visit forms part of an individualised treatment plan and is formed and devised with patients and their families. This is reviewed and updated regularly.

What is your visitation policy?

Visits are booked with the person who is staying with us and the ward team. We can support visits throughout the week and on a case-by-case basis over weekend. Unfortunately, we cannot cater for visitors to stay overnight, however, there are a number excellent hotels close to the hospital.

Will I be involved and kept up to date with my loved one’s care and wellbeing?

Yes - we strive to keep the loved ones of our patients involved in their care. You will be invited to regular meetings at the hospital, where you will meet with your loved one’s care team and hear about recent happenings at the service. We can also arrange more regular catch-ups if you’d prefer, either in person or via telephone, to ensure you are kept informed.

Will my loved one be able to have a phone or call me?

Our hospital has incoming phone lines, and there are phones at various points around the hospital which can be used at any time. In addition, we can support people who are staying with us to use their own mobile phone, where appropriate and risk assessed.

What type of things are families expected to provide, and what is provided by the home?

We do not expect families to provide anything.

What are the bedrooms like?

Bedrooms are all furnished, and people who are staying with us are supported to personalise them to suit their needs and wishes. However, some of the furniture has been purchased to suit the needs of the service specification and some of it is fitted, and therefore cannot be removed. Family members can provide additional items, where appropriate.

Are external doors kept locked?

Yes - external gates are locked, however, everyone staying with us will be risk assessed which will detail the level of security needed. We have a large garden area and courtyard where access is granted on a case-by-case basis.

What do service users eat and how do meal times work?

We have a catering team who prepare meals three times a day, and snacks are available at all times. People staying with us are supported to choose what they want to eat at mealtimes; there is always a choice available, as well as easy-read menus. Our team will also seek guidance from family members and nutritionists to ensure that special dietary requirements are catered for.

How does laundry work?

Our team will ensure that everyone always has access to clean clothes and bedding. We have industrial laundry facilities on-site, which our team will take care of. People staying with us are able to wash their own clothing, and support can be provided when required.

Is there anything they can’t bring or have?

We would ask that people do not bring valuables such as family heirlooms to our hospital, as we cannot guarantee their safety. We may place restrictions on some items where the risks cannot be appropriately managed, including things like scissors, medications and razors. A conclusive list of banned and restricted items will be provided prior to admission to the hospital.

Are pets allowed?

Unfortunately, people’s pets are not allowed at the hospital. However, we do have therapy animals on-site.

How do activities work?

Everyone will meet with an activities planner and develop an individual activities plan. Group and one-to-one activities will be provided throughout the week.

Do service users and families have an input into the service user’s care plans?

We work with healthcare professionals, family members and the people staying with us to develop care plans which are in their best interests. We use a variety of communication tools and work with health professionals to aid each person in having a say about every aspect of their care. Care plans are regularly reviewed, and family members will be asked for their input.

What are the car parking facilities?

There is free car parking on-site.

What is the smoking policy? Can service users buy cigarettes?

Priory Hospital Bristol is a non-smoking site. However, we can support people staying with us to access nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). There is also a designated smoking area that can accessed.

How is treatment accessed and funded?

We don’t take referrals directly from individuals and families. Instead, the first step will be for you to reach out to the person’s GP so that they can be referred and funded through the correct NHS channel. Depending on the type of support needed, this could include local authority funding, NHS funding, joint funding between the local authority and NHS, or direct payments. Please note, referrals for NHS or local authority funded services must come from a referring organisation.

We also provide a private service where funding can be accessed via private medical insurance, or individuals can self-pay. For more information, please visit Priory Hospital Bristol.

How to make a referral

Our customer service centre provides 24/7 support for NHS mental health enquiries and referrals. Our customer referral co-ordinators can support you from your first call right through to the enquiry conclusion, providing updates throughout the process. We offer 24/7 crisis referrals, fast access to bed availability and placements, and a single access point for end-to-end enquiry management.

Call Us
Tap on a number to call
Make a referral