Royal United Hospitals Bath

The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, incorporating the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases provides acute treatment and care for a catchment population of around 500,000 people in Bath, and the surrounding towns and villages in North East Somerset and western Wiltshire.

The Royal United Hospital (RUH) is situated about 1½ miles from Bath city centre.

The Trust provides 732 beds and a comprehensive range of acute services including medicine and surgery, services for women and children, accident and emergency services, and diagnostic and clinical support services. 

The Trust employs more than 4500 members of staff, some of who also provide outpatient, diagnostic and same day case surgery services at local community hospitals in Bath & North East Somerset, Somerset and Wiltshire. This fulfils part of the Trust's aim to provide high quality care to people in their local communities. 

The hospital provides healthcare to the population served by four Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs); Bath and North East Somerset CCG, Wiltshire CCG, and Somerset CCG (Mendip Federations), as well as one social enterprise, Sirona Health & Care CIC.

732 beds

39 F1s, 39 F2s

The RUH is committed to delivering high quality medical education and training at all levels.  The enthusiastic and highly motivated educational team tops the charts in Severn Deanery for completion of training as educational and clinical supervisors.  All Foundation programmes rotating through the RUH, Bath offer a well-balanced range of excellent clinical experience, incorporating a community placement at either F1 or F2 and fulfil all GMC requirements. 

F1 posts comprise three 4 month rotations with experience across a range of medical and surgical specialties. 

Half of F1 doctors at the RUH remain here for F2; this programme comprises three 4-month rotations, which in general have an emergency or medical attachment, a surgical or specialty post, and a community or psychiatry attachment.

Weekly, bleep-free, educational sessions, mapped to the curriculum and covering professional and clinical skills, including communication skills, team working, governance and ethics with a focus on lifelong learning are delivered for both F1 and F2 groups. Regular medical and surgical grand rounds and departmental/specialty teaching as well as the F2 Deanery-wide programme complement this.  

F1 doctors are encouraged to get involved in quality improvement (QI)  projects within a supported structure of QI methodology training and mentorship. 

The Postgraduate Medical Centre includes:

• Lecture Theatre, MDT Room, Laparoscopic Skills Laboratory

The RUH Education Centre includes:

• Clinical Skills Centre (includes practical procedures, including catheterisation, IV, cannulation, etc.)
• Library - access to internet, databases, electronic journals, Computer Assisted Learning and other information

Dining room and snack bar facilities are offered at a number of hospital sites, where reasonably priced hot and cold meals and snacks can be purchased.

Organises social events. Sky TV. Microwave. Breakfasts

On site Facilities include:

• Swimming Pool and gym
• Social Club

Cycle scheme is strongly supported and covered secure cycle storage and showering facilities are provided

Nearby Facilities:

• University of Bath SportsTraining Village – offers RUH discount
• Fitness First                                                               

A vast array of historical, cultural and artistic sites/amenities as one would expect from a world heritage city, in addition to the full range of shopping, eating and entertainment opportunities afforded by a University City. 

From August 2008 F1 doctors have been required to pay for Hospital accommodation. Short term onsite single accommodation of up to 28days is available at Royal United Hospital. Longer term accommodation is also available subject to availability both on site and off site. For further information please contact the Accommodation Office on 01225 826200. The office is open Monday to Friday 8am-4pm (Closed Bank Holidays). It is closed for lunch between 1pm – 1.30pm. Enquiries can also be made to ruh-tr.AccommodationRequests@nhs.net. 

Parking permit allocations are based on a number of criteria including journey time and shift pattern. The cost is £29 per month deducted via payroll or £1.45 for daily purchase.