Academy Guide: Bath
Bath is the closest academy to Bristol and has a fantastic reputation for being a well run and friendly hospital.
The majority of people drive to Bath, as it’s only about 12 miles from Bristol. The quickest way is to get onto the A4 from the centre and follow the signs to the Royal United Hospital (RUH). Off peak it’s about 30minutes but during rush hour you need to allow at least an hour if not a little more. An alternative route is the A431, which takes about 45 minutes whatever time of day you go.
Trains from Temple Meads are pretty regular and only take about 15 minutes. From the station in Bath it’s about a 15-minute cycle – its downhill on the way to the RUH.
Accommodation and Facilities
After difficulties in previous years, every student at Bath academy now has a room available to stay in. They are on the hospital site so you can roll out of bed 5 minutes before ward rounds and still be on time. The blocks are very similar to basic halls of residence standard – bed, desk, sink, and wardrobe. They are arranged into flats of 4-6 sharing a bathroom and kitchen and each block has a lounge with a TV and table.
The blocks have junior doctors, visiting staff and nurses in them so there is a mix although we get put together for the most part.
They give you linen and blankets (not towels), it might be worth bringing your duvet, as you need about 15 blankets to keep warm in the winter. There’s always plenty of hot water and the showers are generally good.
Kitchen
The kitchens are generally quite good, they have most things you’d need – they all have fridge, freezer, oven with hob and microwave. Cutlery and crockery are supplied but its not the best – you may find you have 8 spoons and no knives! It may be worth bringing a sharp knife and a saucepan…
Library & Computers
There is 24hour access to the Education Centre with your swipe card that has lots of computers and a pretty well stocked library.
Parking
Mo Jacobs does have parking permits but that just gives you access to the grass behind the barrier instead of in front of it. Parking is tough on site but there is usually somewhere to park at the back behind Hillview Lodge or the primary school.
Local Area
Social Club
Bath is pretty well served with its own social club open all day everyday. They have a TV, bar, ‘gym’ (more like home gym – its ok but don’t expect the works), skittles, squash and tennis courts, pool table and a swimming pool in winter months. You can go as a guest but it’s about £3 to join after which you get 50p off everything you book like squash courts. Swimming is £10 per month, its outdoors but its warm.
A pint of fosters is about £1.80 if I remember right so its pretty cheap and 100m from your bed and the education centre.
The payday party at the end of the month is held there and its worth going once you’ve gotten to know your SHO’s
Nearest Supermarket
Somerfield is really close, walking out of the main entrance or behind the residences turn left and cross the road walk past the Weston café and it is on your left. It’s a pretty basic supermarket but it does the job when you’ve forgotten to bring any food. A more substantial Sainsburys is a 5-minute drive away.
Nearest Pub
Both pretty old man pubs but if the social club is getting unexciting then either side of Somerfield is a pub. The one on the right has a beer garden but is a bit more expensive. They do a pretty good curry night though.
Bath centre
It’s about 30 minutes walk to the centre but buses run every 10 minutes in the daytime from the hospital main entrance. Cabs home are about £6. There are lots of places to go for a drink; Bath is tiny so you can stumble from one to another easily. Places worth trying include: sub13, adventure café, haha bar, the assembly. All the usual high street shops are there; I wouldn’t drive to shops as parking is a nightmare and its 2 mins on the bus.
