Road signs direct motorists to unbuilt hospital

Road signs have been erected directing motorists to a new hospital in Bristol, which doesn’t open for another two years.

The signage, which has been put up near Hengrove Park, gives directions to a new minor injuries unit at South Bristol Community Hospital, but the spot is currently a building site, as the hospital is not due to start receiving patients until 2012.

When the hospital extension does open, it will offer those in South Bristol diagnostic tests and give access to therapy services, close to their homes. The centre will also provide urgent care to those with minor illnesses and injuries that need immediate treatment. Some residents will also be able to attend scheduled appointments with consultants and specialists at the centre.

One resident, who did not want to be named, told the Bristol Evening Post of his concern that someone in urgent need of help could drive to the site, only to find that there is no hospital there, wasting time that could have been used driving to Bristol Royal Infirmary.

“I thought it was utter stupidity to have hospital signs for a building site. If someone didn’t know the area or what was going on they could follow the signs and end up at the locked estate. It could be unsafe and is not good all round common sense,” he said.

Bristol City Council have issued an apology for the error and said the signs were meant to be covered up until 2012.  The local NHS said the signs were put up now because a college which is on the site is due to open in September, however the council have arranged for the signs to be covered until the building is officially opened.

James Easey spokesman for Bristol City Council admitted that having the hospital signs visible had been an oversight.

“We apologise for any confusion this has caused over the last few days,” he said.