[lettie]

I have very good memories of BRI and my nurse training although, like Margaret, I always felt more at home at QPH.

I took myself on a tour of the new building yesterday whilst at work. This was purely so that I could find important places which I will need to go whilst working. I managed to find pathology dept, GUM clinic, ICU, HDU and A&E. This new unit is massive. There's a main entrance with lots of shops and a big cafe on the mezzanine above the entrance. There are plenty of lifts, wide corridors and lots of new equipment. Clinics were closed at BRI yesterday and today and the move has started ready for clinics on monday. There were staff everywhere in their own clothes shifting furniture, unpacking boxes and arranging their new workplaces....it was chaos. I feel sorry for Grego who has to go to BRI tomorrow to help to move pharmacy. ICU has already moved up and some of the laboratory staff and equipment have moved up too.

There will be plenty of parking, far more than at BRI now. Staff parking areas will be barriered and not available to visitors (about time too). Although the staff do get parking charges deducted from their wages and the barrier swipe cards are not ready just yet, I think the barrier parking will be coming online next week. I have visions of going into work on monday and being unable to get onto the car park.

I don't envy BRI staff having to move this weekend. I remember moving to the new maternity unit, just over 10 years ago now. It seemed so chaotic at the time but within a few weeks it was like we'd always been there.

This new unit is bright, modern and airy, and I very much look forward to having us all on one site.......it will make my job a whole lot easier and I may even be able to catch up with old friends from my nursing days.

The one thing that does make me laugh though is that we have an ambulance 'departure lounge' honestly....If I am sat in a 'departure lounge' I expect a bar..