⚠️ NOT FOR EMERGENCIES. This service is for administrative inquiries only. If in danger, dial 999 immediately.
Bristol Royal Infirmary
The Bristol Royal Infirmary's Hepatology department provides essential liver care services available 24/7 for emergencies and scheduled interventions. This includes inpatient hepatology care, day-case procedures like paracentesis and endoscopy, and emergency management of gastrointestinal bleeds. The Alcohol Nurse Specialist Service facilitates detoxification and management for inpatients with alcohol dependencies. Regional liver disease services offer care for complex conditions such as liver cancer and hepatitis C, collaborating with London centers for transplant assessments. Common reasons for calling include managing liver conditions, arranging specialist assessments, and scheduling procedures. While service is available around the clock for emergencies, weekday is best for non-urgent specialist services. Contacting specific ward numbers or using the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) may be necessary due to limited direct phone access to the department.
Updated 15 Dec 2025
Expected outcomes
- Receive inpatient hepatology care
- Schedule endoscopy procedures
- Access alcohol detox services
- Manage liver disease treatment
- Obtain emergency GI bleed management
Call preparation
Assemble everything before you dial. These requirements are verified by our call analysts and updated as organizations change their scripts.
- Referral documentation
- Patient medical history
- Patient consent
- Alcohol dependency assessment
- Relevant clinical information
- Patient identification details
Known issues
Patients sometimes encounter communication delays with ward staff, especially during peak inpatient periods. In such cases, speaking directly with the nurse in charge can expedite the process. The department also faces frequent issues with limited direct phone access, often redirecting callers to general hospital lines or PALS for assistance. For urgent matters, using ward-specific numbers or visiting PALS can provide a workaround. These challenges highlight the importance of having direct contact details on hand and understanding alternative communication channels within the hospital.
