The relocation and road transfer of intensive care patients to a new hospital in Bristol: Our experiences.

In May 2014, North Bristol NHS Trust merged its two existing hospitals - Southmead and Frenchay - into a new, purpose-built building. The project involved the movement of 540 patients, many over a distance of several miles. We describe the planning process and transfer of 24 level two and three patients from two intensive care units into the new hospital. These transfers were performed successfully, without significant incident and under intense scrutiny from the Trust, the patients and the media. In this paper, we reflect upon our experiences of this process, which may be of benefit to those encountering a similar move in the future.