FAQs for Patients
Please click on a link to go to the relevant section.
I have been referred to your service – what will happen at the assessment?
What happens after the assessment?
What is the programme timetable like?
How do I get to BCPS? - I’ll be coming by car- Is it easy to park? - I’ll be coming by public transport / taxi
What will happen when I arrive?
What is the accommodation like?
What to bring: - Should I bring my own medication? - Should I bring my own wheelchair and walking aids – can you supply that? - What clothes and exercise kit should I bring?
What is the food like? - I have a special diet – can you cater for me?
I am an adult accompanying an adolescent or young adult – what will I be doing?
What do I need to pay for?
Can I have visitors?
What are the family days?
What will I do in the evenings and weekends? Can I try to get some work done, or to study?
Can I smoke, or vape?
Are there any things that I am not allowed to bring?
Can you give me a helpful checklist of things to remember before I come?
I have been referred to your service – what will happen at the assessment?
Welcome to BCPS. You will have a two hour online assessment with one of our Consultants and a specialist member of the rehabilitation team. This will allow us to try to understand your pain problem, and also to learn more about your circumstances. We will ask about your situation, mood, and physical functioning.
The main purpose of the assessment is to work out whether you might be able to benefit from one of our programmes. We will also give you plenty of information about the programmes, if it seems you might come.
If you are an adolescent, or a young person still living at home, we would like one or both of your parents to join for the assessment.
What happens after the assessment?
After the assessment, you will receive a thorough assessment report, addressed to you, and copied to your referrer and GP. If you have been placed on the waiting list, you will then wait for the next treatment spot four particular type of programme, e.g. group or individual.
What is the programme timetable like?
The programme day looks quite long, but we support people to manage it. It starts at 9 am and finishes at around 4.30 pm. It is similar to a school or work day - there are different sessions throughout the day, with morning and afternoon breaks and a lunch break. It goes at a steady pace.
Each day includes one or two exercise sessions, psychology sessions and activity sessions typically led by our occupational therapists.
How do I get to BCPS?
Our service is based at the Royal United Hospital, which is Bath’s main hospital. It is quite a big hospital site so please pay attention to these directions, in order to find us. On the hospital site, we are in Zone E, Building E2 – the building is also called Bernard Ireland House.
General travel information for the hospital can be found here. There are helpful site maps and photos on our Contacts page here.
- I’m coming by car
For SatNav, the postcode is BA1 3NG. (This will get you to the hospital entrance, but you will still need to find your own way to the correct building.)
Directions: The Royal United Hospital is situated in a suburb called Weston village on the western side of Bath.
If you are approaching from the west, north or east, take Bath exit 18 from the M4 motorway.
After approximately 2-3 miles, you come to a roundabout where you turn right on to the A420. Take the first turning left and after around 3 miles, at a T-junction on a sharp bend on a hill, turn left.
After approximately 1 mile, you will see Bath racecourse on your right. Just after a pub called the Blathwayte Arms on your right, take a little turning on the right signposted Weston. This is a narrow road, down a steep hill. At the bottom of the hill, turn left at a mini roundabout, which takes you into Weston village. Keep going on this road and you will see the RUH on your right.
The RUH is situated off the main A4 Bath to Bristol road. It has entrances located on Combe Park road. Enter via the main hospital entrance.
Turn right at the mini-roundabout and follow the road round. Turn left when you reach Hillview Lodge and you will see Bernard Ireland House on your right.
- Is it easy to park?
Hospital car parking is busy and expensive – with some exceptions. Please take this into account and plan for it. After you have arrived, you may wish to park off site.
When arriving, there is a single patient drop off space at the front of Bernard Ireland House (you will see an area with yellow cross-hatched lines). This can be used to drop-off people and luggage; it is where the taxis will stop. Please be aware that there is a fine for staying in this zone over 45 minutes – please just use this area to quickly drop people and luggage, and then move off to find a parking space.
For hospital car parks and prices (please check these to avoid surprises), see here.
Parking for parents/guardians of a patient under the age of 18 on an adolescent programme qualify for free parking. Please email your car registration to a member of the admin team or ruh-tr.RNHRDPMUenquiries@nhs.net.
Blue Badge holders can park for free anywhere around the hospital, and there are also dedicated Blue Badge bays, though they get quite busy. Details are here.
- I’m coming by public transport
Bath’s main rail and bus stations are in the centre of town about two miles away. There are regular buses to the hospital site, described below, or a taxi costs around £12. The bus drops you at the main entrance to the hospital; you’ll have to make your way across site to Bernard Ireland House. A taxi should drop you directly at Bernard Ireland House – make sure to request this.
Bus from the central bus station (next to train station) to the hospital - Number 4 – take the service towards Royal United Hospital (RUH) / Weston Village. This goes from the street outside the bus station, and stops at the hospital front door.
(Don’t get the number 4 going towards Odd Down (wrong direction!) which leaves from inside the bus station.
Don’t get off as soon as you see a sign for A&E; stay on, and the bus will take you to the hospital front door. It is quite obvious when you get there.)
The number 4 goes every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 20 minutes Sunday.
If you require more information and help with your travel arrangements call into Bath Bus Station, or visit here.
For more information about where to go on the hospital site, with pictures, go here – strongly recommended!
What will happen when I arrive?
When you get to Bernard Ireland House, you will be let in by a buzzer, and you will be greeted by the Health Care Assistants (HCAs), who will show you around. There is more information, about the building and the local area, in a folder in your room. Lockers are provided in your room for valuables and controlled medications.
If you have any worries, or concerns, a team member will be able to address these on the first day of your treatment, typically the following morning. You can also ask our friendly health care assistant team.
Please arrive at the hospital by 4pm on the Sunday evening before the start of the programme. (If your treatment starts following a bank holiday Monday, you will arrive on the Monday with a view to starting treatment on the Tuesday.)
What is the accommodation like?
You will have your own room, possibly sharing with your parent if you are accompanied. Our ‘self-managing rooms’ are simple and resemble student accommodation. Our ‘supported’ rooms are more disability friendly. You will share communal space with the rest of your group, which consists of a kitchenette (kettle, fridge, toaster, microwave), dining area and living space. You will have a security card that opens your own room and the other key doors.
The accommodation is fully furnished, however in order to comply with hospital regulations, this is ‘clinical’ in style and will not be as comfortable as your home environment. You may want to bring comfort items such as a blanket, an extra pillow if this helps you to feel settled; please note that there are no desks in rooms.
There is free WiFi – not very fast but generally adequate for streaming.
Each room will have access to a single sex communal bathroom, or an ensuite. Ensuite bathrooms are limited and assigned on the basis of medical need; if you feel that you need an ensuite, please mention this at your assessment.
There is a shared washer/dryer available on-site and our health care assistants will show you how to use this and provide tokens for use.
There are supermarkets close by, please see enclosed map in your room.
Please ensure that you are fully dressed when leaving your room and that you are wearing ‘day clothes’ and supportive shoes when in communal and treatment spaces, rather than nightwear.
What To Bring
You need to bring everything that you would usually pack if you were staying away from home (within reason!).
- Should I bring my own medication?
Yes. You are responsible for your own medication during your stay so please bring enough medication for the full length of the programme. Please also bring any medication compliance aids with you (e.g. pill box, dosette box). Please double check that you have everything as it is very hard to make up for mistakes whilst you are here.
You will need to know what you need to take and when; it is important that you are able to safely manage your own medication. Staff at BCPS cannot prescribe, or administer medication. During your booking in session of the first day of programme you will be asked to read the self-administration of medication guidelines and sign a form.
Please do not bring with you more medication than you think you will need
Please be aware that prescriptions are not available from the team or the hospital. If you run out of medication, you will need to sort out a repeat prescription from your GP, yourself. The hospital pharmacy cannot dispense to patients under the care of our service. The nearest pharmacies are around a 10 -15 minute walk away.
If you have an epi-pen, or use a CPAP machine, please bring these with you. If using a CPAP machine, ensure that the team are aware that you are bringing this ahead of your arrival.
- Should I bring my own wheelchair and walking aids – can you supply that?
Please bring all mobility aids that you would use at home, e.g. crutches, walking sticks and wheelchairs. If you will be bringing wheelchairs or any other equipment, please contact us beforehand so we can arrange storage space. We will not issue you with equipment.
If you have equipment that needs to be fitted to the building – for example some types of shower stool – please be aware that you will not be able to use this at our unit. This is because this kind of equipment needs to have been purchased and risk-assessed by the hospital. If you think there is something that you use at home, which you may struggle without, please get in touch with the clinical team ahead of your arrival.
Reading glasses if you use them. If you have any difficulty reading or writing please mention it to a member of the team and we can discuss confidentially how best to help you manage this.
Hearing aids; if you use these, please bring them with you
- What clothes and exercise kit should I bring?
Sufficient everyday clothing including shoes for your stay, including trainers or shoes suitable for exercise (supportive and with a back). Nightwear, including dressing gown and slippers or suitable indoor shoes.
Comfortable clothes that are easy to move in and can be worn during exercise (e.g. tracksuit/ shorts, T-shirts etc.) Sports Bra (if applicable).
Swimming costume/trunks – this is not essential, as do not use hydrotherapy pools, but there is a pool on-site (open seasonally and requiring booking).
Toiletries - anything that you normally use at home (the hospital provides towels, unless you prefer to bring your own)
Washing powder/liquid for the washing machines.
Bedding; we do provide bedding, however, this has to meet the hospital’s infection control requirements and so can be less comfortable than your bedding at home. You are welcome to bring your own duvet cover/pillows if you prefer
Bernard Ireland House is a shared building, on a busy hospital site; it is wise to bring ear plugs, and perhaps an eye mask.
Please do not bring hot water bottles; these are not permitted on hospital premises due to scald risks.
What is the food like?
Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the communal kitchen area.
Breakfast – Cereal, porridge, fruit and toast are available each morning before programme starts.
Lunch – Lunch is typically an option of juice or soup, a sandwich or salad and a fruit, yoghurt or packet of crisps. There are a range of choices that you pick daily.
Dinner – this is a hot meal, and again you choose from a menu daily.
You can purchase your own microwaveable meals and prepare them in the kitchen, however, the facilities are limited. There are microwaves, toasters, kettle and although limited fridge and freezer spaces available. There is also a blender and food processor that you can access if you would like to prepare some of your own food.
We are aware that the hospital food does not meet everyone’s taste and it can be hard not having the food you would normally choose for several weeks. We have limited influence over food as this is organised centrally within the RUH; please bring some snacks and think about how you may manage meals if they are not to your liking.
- I have a special diet – can you cater for me?
The hospital kitchen offers menus for a range of specific diets, including vegan, kosher, halal. It also clearly labels gluten-free and dairy free options within the main menu. You can complete a dietary needs form provided by the administration team when your programme attendance is confirmed.
We recognise that some people have very specific diets and it is important to prepare for this. The hospital kitchen is usually catering for about 600 inpatients and cannot provide you with an individual / bespoke meal to your requirements every day. Please prepare for this and if you have a very specific diet, bring the appropriate foods with you.
I am an adult accompanying an adolescent or young adult – what will I be doing?
You will be fully participating in treatment – for example, exercise, and psychological work. We expect that some accompanying adults may have their own health conditions, and of course we will support you to access treatment with these.
It is not always easy to reflect on the journey of caring for a young person with pain. We will hope to support you well, yet you will still probably experience many emotions during treatment.
You will be fully occupied in programme hours, with the exception of a few days on an adolescent programme. You have full parental responsibility for your child throughout the stay, as if you were on holiday in a hotel. You cannot leave them with the expectation that the team will take responsibility.
What do I need to pay for?
Meals and accommodation are all provided as part of the treatment. There are no unavoidable expenses (but see Parking). Ideally, you (or your young person) would have some spending money, for example, to go out for a coffee, or for entertainment in the evenings.
Can I have visitors?
You are welcome to meet up with family or friends in the evenings or weekends, out of the building and off site.
Visitors cannot come into the building, any further than the reception area. They are not permitted in the accommodation, common areas, or to have meals with you in the building. Other patients have a right to privacy; thus, there is no flexibility in this. The planned exception is Family Days, below.
What are the family days?
On the last day of most weeks of treatment (i.e. most Fridays) we extend an invitation to selected family members to join our programmes. For adults, this is most often a partner (no under 16s for adult programmes). For adolescents, the other parent can attend, where applicable, and it can sometimes be appropriate for selected siblings to come along if they can work quietly in a group.
People visiting are expected to fully join the programme, and to comply with the group rules. This is a condition of entry. They will be expected to take part in rehabilitation exercises themselves; we do not have space for people to “sit back and watch”.
The family day starts at approximately 10am and ends by approximately 3pm; on the day family members should come to the Bernard Ireland House, building E2 on the Royal United Hospital site and wait in the reception area. Check with the clinical team for precise timings on for your programme and please ensure that family members only join at the start of sessions, not part way through.
There is, obviously, no accommodation for family for these days.
What will I do in the evenings and weekends? Can I try to get some work done, or to study?
You are free, in your evenings and weekends, and Bath is a beautiful city. You will need to “sign in and out” of the building for fire safety. Also, you will need to be back in the building by a certain time at night (i.e. we will likely not admit anyone at one in the morning).
After programme has finished for the day, you will have some downtime and be encouraged to practise the skills that you have been learning in the day and experiment informally, or formally, through independent tasks. There is a TV, puzzles, games, and games consoles.
Please do not bring academic, or paid work, with you to complete outside of the programme. The programme is emotionally, and physically, demanding and there will be no time provided for work or study. To get the most out of the programme, you will benefit from the time away from the usual pressures of work, education and day to day life; this helps with developing new habits and approaches. This also applies to accompanying adults, on adolescent and young adult programmes. If you need a letter from the team to request flexibility with work, or education, so that you can give your full attention to the programme, then please get in touch ahead of your programme stay.
If you have other important remote/face to face appointments scheduled during your programme stay, we would recommend that, wherever possible, these are re-scheduled. If this is not possible, please let the clinical team know, ahead of your stay.
Can I smoke, or vape?
The entire hospital is a smoke-free environment. All hospital buildings and grounds are 100% smoke-free to protect and improve the health of patients, visitors and staff. You cannot smoke here. Please make arrangements for nicotine replacement. Please do not use the programme as a time to attempt to stop smoking – the programme will be quite stressful enough already, and this would likely lead to (1) failure to stop smoking plus (2) disruption of your rehabilitation.
Electronic or e-cigarette (“vape”) users are permitted to vape outdoors, on the hospital grounds, so long as they do it well away from other people and open windows.
If you would like to know where you can get help to stop smoking, or to access further information about our smoke-free policy please contact Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) by telephoning 01225 825656/826319 or email ruh-tr.pals@nhs.net
Are there any things that I am not allowed to bring?
You cannot bring anything illegal onto our site. This includes cannabis, though we are obviously aware that some people use this in the hope of pain control. You cannot bring anything that the law might see as a weapon into our building (e.g. fixed blade knives). Alcohol is not permitted in the building.
Can you give me a helpful checklist of things to remember before I come?
Please use this checklist to ensure that you have provided us with all the relevant information we need before you stay and that you have everything ready.
- Call or email to acknowledge receipt of invite and confirm your place
- Dietary requirement form
- Programme acceptance form
- Pre-treatment questionnaires
- Self-administration of medication forms
- All completed and posted/scanned to BCPS, or call made to admin team to discuss
- Email address and contact information confirmed with the admin team to ensure we are able to contact you
- Informed BCPS of any changes to your medical status since assessment
- Ensure you have enough medication for the length of programme and bring any other medical equipment e.g. inhalers, CPAP machine, Epipen
- List of medications prescribed by your GP
- Have clear transport plan in place – if travelling by car, read parking information
- All mobility aids ready to bring – please call and inform the team if you are bringing a wheelchair so storage can be arranged
- Sufficient everyday clothing as well as clothing for exercise, including trainers
- Snacks, food and microwavable food (if you choose to bring extra food)
- Towels and nightwear, including dressing gown, extra bedding if you feel that you will need this
- Ear plugs (recommended), eye mask
- If attending on a young adult programme, confirm with administration team whether a family member is attending for week 1