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Barbour Ward

Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Royal Victoria Hospital, 274 Grosvenor Road, Belfast, BT12 6BA

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • By Road View
    • Turn off the M1/A12 and follow the signs for the Royal Victoria Hospital.
      After leaving the large roundabout, turn right and continue along the road for approximately 1 mile.
      The main hospital car park will then be observed on the left.
  • By Bus View
    • The 646a Metro bus service runs from Belfast Grand Central Station to the hospital Monday - Friday.
    • The G1 Glider service runs from Belfast City Centre to the Falls Road.
    • If alighting at the Glider bus stop you may have to walk down Grosvenor Road to get into the hospital via the main entrance, if the Falls Road entrance is locked.
    • There is an onsite bus stop.
    • The nearest bus stop is located along the road from the main hospital entrance.
    • The bus stop has a sheltered waiting area with backless bench seating and sufficient space for a wheelchair user to wait.
    • The onsite bus stop is approximately 140 metres from the main hospital entrance.
      The route from the bus stop is level. Some of the route is sheltered.
      There are some access roads to cross all with dropped kerbs and tactile paving.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest railway station is Belfast Grand Central Station, located approximately 0.6 miles away on Grosvenor Road.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance (Children's Hospital)

  • To see the hospital map please click here (opens new tab).
  • There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 028 96 157 777 / 028 90 240 503.
  • There are volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
  • Volunteers can be found in the main foyer of the main hospital, adjacent to the main reception area.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, different languages on request, voice recognition CD on request and audio on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available on request.
  • BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Language interpreters can be provided in the following languages; Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese - Cantonese, Chinese - Hakka, Chinese - Mandarin, Czech, Estonian, Farsi, French, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Kurdish Kurmanji, Kurdish Sorani, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malayalam, Moldovan, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tetum, Thai, Tigrinya, Turkish and Urdu.
  • A mobility scooter charging point is not available at the hospital.
  • Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs, motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooter.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact Shopmobility on 028 9080 8090.
  • There is a Safe Place at this hospital which is located at the Fall's Road entrance (Quiet Room).
  • To view the Safe Place Accessibility Guide please click here.

Getting to the Children's Hospital from the Royal Victoria Hospital

  • From the Royal Victoria Hospital main entrance, bear right and cross the access road to the pavement opposite (photographs 1 to 2).
  • Go past the pillar and follow the path as it bends to the left (photograph 3).
  • There is a slight slope down and black pillars on the right at the kerb edge.
  • At the junction turn right and cross the service road (photograph 4). There are dropped kerbs with tactile paving to each pavement.
  • Follow the covered walkway on the right hand side of the main hospital road, past the maternity hospital and zebra crossing across the access road from the new maternity hospital, until you can go no further (photographs 5 to 9).
  • The route is flat for the full section (about 180m).
  • Turn left to cross the main hospital road at the zebra crossing (photograph 10).
  • Turn right and follow the pavement on the left side of the main hospital road, to the next zebra crossing (photographs 11 to 12).
  • Turn right to cross the main hospital road at the zebra crossing (photograph 13).
  • Turn right to follow the pedestrian path in the car park, then follow the pavement to the left and back up the ramped path on the left of the slip road (photographs 14 to 16). The slope is slight but long.
  • At the top of the slope turn right across the zebra crossing (photograph 17).
  • The entrance to the Children's Hospital is to the left.

Hospital Parking (Children's Hospital Car Park)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located on the basement level.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does have a barrier control system.
    • There is a touchscreen at the barrier.
    • There is a push button control at the barrier.
    • The barrier controls/touchscreen can be reached from the car.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted and have markings which are faded.
    • There is/are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 252cm x 420cm (8ft 3in x 13ft 9in).
    • There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located at the entrance to the car park and at the payment machines in the car park.
    • Payment signs do not make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Payment machines are located close to the Blue Badge parking bays.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is not a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
    • To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
    • The hospital entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the hospital entrance is clearly signposted.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the lift to the main Children's Hospital entrance.
  • Comments View
    • Part of the car park is sheltered.
    • There is a lift up from the basement to the lower level where the main entrance to the Children's Hospital is located.
    • Alternatively visitors can walk around the outside of the car park up a steep hill (shown in photos 12-15).

Hospital Parking (Children's Hospital Blue Badge Parking and Drop Off)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located to the left of the main Children's Hospital entrance.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted and have markings which are faded.
    • There is/are 9 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 242cm x 577cm (7ft 11in x 18ft 11in).
    • There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located in the front of the Children's Hospital main entrance.
    • There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are not provided.
    • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Payment machines are located in the basement level car park.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is not a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
    • To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • The hospital entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the hospital entrance is clearly signposted.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 54m (59yd 2in) from the Children's Hospital main entrance.
  • Comments View
    • The Blue Badge bays are chargeable. The payment machine is located in the basement level car park.

Lift (Car Park Access)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right of the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children Main Entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children Main Entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG and Car Park Level.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is low.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 109cm x 140cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.

Getting To (Barbour Ward)

  • Barbour Ward is/are located on the ground floor of the Children's Hospital.
  • Access to Barbour Ward is via the Children's Hospital main entrance.
  • Enter the hospital via the main entrance proceed ahead passing the outpatients clinic on the left.
    Continue ahead through the 'snake' glass corridor and up a slight slope.
    At the end, turn left and then right towards the lift.
    Take the lift to up to the ground floor.
    Upon exiting the lift proceed ahead and turn right following the corridor around up a slight slope.
    Continue ahead and Barbour Ward is located on the left.
  • There is ramped/sloped and lift access to Barbour Ward.
  • Barbour Ward is approximately 39m from the central lift.
  • There are resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.

Outside Access (The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 142cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 142cm.

Lift (Central)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the centre of the building.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 45m (49yd 8in) from the hospital main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G and LG.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is low.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 125cm (4ft 1in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 154cm x 243cm (5ft 1in x 7ft 12in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Other Floors (Children's Hospital Central Stairs)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG, G, 1 and 2.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a second lower handrail.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Ward (Barbour Ward)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an surgical, orthopaedic, spinal and renal ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 3 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 4 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 19 bed(s) on this ward in total.
  • Ward Access View
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 161cm (5ft 3in).
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 131cm (4ft 4in).
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 129cm (4ft 3in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 140cm (4ft 7in).
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • Staff can provide assistance with using any manual doors within the ward.
    • There is clear signage on the ward.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the ward reception desk is 114cm.
    • There is a lowered section.
    • The height of the lowered section of the desk is 77cm.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • Relatives' Room View
    • There is a relatives' room for the ward.
    • The width of the door opening into the relatives' room is over 75cm.
    • There is not a clear turning space in the relatives' room.
    • There is not a/are not chair(s) with armrests available within the relatives' room.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • A hearing assistance system is not available on the ward.
    • The ward does not play background music.
    • There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
    • A mobile hoist is not available on the ward.
    • There are washroom facilities for patients on the ward.
    • There are toilet facilities for patients on the ward.
  • Visitor Facilities View
    • There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located on the main entrance hospital corridor.
    • There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located on the main entrance hospital corridor.
  • Visiting Times View
    • There are no set visiting times, please contact the ward in advance.

Day Room / Lounge Area (Parents Sitting Room)

  • There is a day room/lounge area.
  • The day room/lounge area is approximately 11m from the Barbour Ward entrance.
  • There is level access into the day room/lounge area.
  • The day room/lounge area is always open.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the day room/lounge area.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is a space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some tables are permanently fixed.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 75cm (2ft 6in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 91cm (2ft 12in).
  • The room does have background music playing.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • There is a television.
  • Subtitles are available.
  • There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
  • Lighting levels are good.

Washroom (Shower Room)

  • Washroom Details View
    • The washroom surveyed has a shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
    • There is/are 4 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
    • The washroom surveyed is located on the left of the middle corridor.
    • The washroom surveyed is approximately 13m from the Barbour Ward entrance.
    • There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
    • This washroom is shared.
    • There is written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
    • The washroom door(s) open(s) inwards.
    • The door(s) is/are locked by a sliding bolt.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 65cm (2ft 2in).
    • The dimensions of the washroom are 222cm x 117cm (7ft 3in x 3ft 10in).
    • The washroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • There is not an emergency pull cord alarm.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s) 164cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin is 80cm.
    • There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the wash basin.
    • The tap type is lever. It is not a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 122cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 103cm.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • There is a/are general waste (with lid) disposal units.
    • The washroom has a non-slip floor.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 41cm (1ft 4in).
    • The toilet has a lid obstructing the back rest/cistern/wall.
    • There is not a lateral transfer space.
    • There is a flush.
    • There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
    • There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the toilet.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 96cm.
    • There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
    • There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is not a wheel in shower.
    • The shower does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The shower control type is twist/turn.
    • There is no seat for the shower.
    • There are not wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
    • The shower tray is accessed via a medium step.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
    • The visual contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is high.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
    • The visual contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
    • Lighting levels are good.

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities (Children's Hospital)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are located to the left of the main entrance and to the left of the Falls Road entrance.
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located to the left of the Falls Road entrance.
  • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the accessible toilet to the left of the Falls Road entrance.

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