Access Guide
Getting To The Hospital
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By Road
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- 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.
- Turn off the M1/A12 and follow the signs for the Royal Victoria Hospital.
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By Bus
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- 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.
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By Train
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- The nearest railway station is Belfast Grand Central Station, located approximately 0.6 miles away on Grosvenor Road.
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Useful Links
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- Bus and train fares and timetables.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Bus and train accessibility advice.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Hospital website with further details on getting to the hospital .
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance
- 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 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, 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.
- Useful Links View
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Comments
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- PALS is available via telephone only.
Hospital Parking (Multi Storey Car Park)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car park is located across the road from the main hospital entrance.
- The car park type is multi storey.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park does have a barrier control system.
- 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 clearly marked.
- There is/are 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 240cm x 469cm (7ft 10in x 15ft 5in).
- There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop-off point.
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Paying
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- 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 make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
- Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
- Payment machines are located throughout the car park.
- There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
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Access to the Hospital
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- 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 clearly visible from the car park.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 54m (59yd 2in) from the hospital underpass entrance.
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Comments
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- The car park is part multi storey and part open-air.
- The height of the pay station controls range from 64cm to 170cm.
- The best way of accessing the hospital from the car park is via an underpass that goes under the road and allows direct access to the hospital via stairs or lift.
- Parking charges for visitors are as follows:
- 0-4hrs - £1.60
- 4-6hrs - £2.50
- 6-24hrs - £5.00.
Hospital Parking (Main Entrance - Blue Badge Parking and Drop Off Point)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
- The car park is located directly opposite the main entrance of the new building.
- 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.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
- There is/are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 270cm x 720cm (8ft 10in x 23ft 7in).
- There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is a designated drop-off point.
- The drop-off point is located directly in front of the new building hospital entrance.
- There is not a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
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Paying
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- There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
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Access to the Hospital
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- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
- The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the new building main accessible entrance.
Getting To (Children's Ward)
- The Children's Ward is/are located on level 5 of the ENT building.
- Access to the Children's Ward is via the main accessible entrance.
- Enter the hospital via the main accessible entrance, continue past the main reception and through the double doors ahead.
Turn left after the escalators and follow the corridor to the end.
This is the entrance to the Outpatients building.
Take the lift to level 3. Exit the lift and continue past the Outpatients reception.
Take the corridor on the left, which is the entrance to the ENT building.
Proceed to the end of the corridor and bear left to the ENT lift.
Take the lift to level 5.
Exit the lift, turn left, go through the double doors and the Children's Ward is on the right. - There is step free access, via lift, to the Children's Ward.
- The Children's Ward is approximately 8m from the ENT building lift.
- There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the ENT building lift and the department/service.
- There are not resting areas along the route.
- Wayfinding signage is 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.
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Comments
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- There is an alternative entrance on Falls road.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- There are bollards outside this entrance.
- The minimum width between the bollards/wall is 163cm.
- The bollard(s) has/have a high visual contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
- The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 134cm (4ft 5in).
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 101cm (3ft 4in).
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- The main door(s) open(s) by revolving.
- The width of the door opening is 161cm.
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Ramp/Slope Details
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- The ramp/slope is located on the approach to the entrance.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up the ramp.
- The width of the ramp is 101cm.
Outside Access (Main Accessible Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the main building.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- There are bollards outside this entrance.
- The minimum width between the bollards/wall is 164cm.
- The bollard(s) has/have a high visual contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
- The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 134cm (4ft 5in).
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 115cm (3ft 9in).
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 166cm.
- 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 138cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope Details
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- The ramp/slope is located on the approach to the entrance.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up the ramp.
- The width of the ramp is 102cm.
Entrance (Level 1 - to Outpatients Building from New Building)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the end of the level 1 corridor in the new building.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is not a hand sanitiser.
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- The main door(s) open(s) both ways.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 172cm.
Lift (Outpatients Building)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located ahead as you enter Outpatients from the new building.
- The lift is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the level 1 Outpatients Building 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 level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, level 5, level 6, level 7, level 8 and level 9.
- 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 high.
- The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
- The clear door width is 143cm (4ft 8in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 159cm x 279cm (5ft 3in x 9ft 2in).
- There are separate entry and exit doors in 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 moderate to good.
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Comments
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- There is an identical lift to the right of the one surveyed.
Other Floors (Outpatients Building)
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Stairs
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- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
- There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are level 1, level 2, level 3, level 5, level 6, level 7, level 8 and level 9.
- 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 not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are not clearly marked.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
- The lighting levels are good.
Outside Access (Falls Road Entrance - Level 3)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located on the Falls Road.
- The entrance area/door is not 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 a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 130cm.
- 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 129cm.
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Comments
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- There is no drop off or car park near this entrance.
Entrance (From The Outpatients Building)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located next to the Outpatients reception desk and the external entrance on Falls Road.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is not a hand sanitiser.
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 111cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 120cm.
Lift (ENT Building)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located at the far end of the ground floor corridor.
- Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 80m (87yd 1ft) from the ENT Building 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 ground level, level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4 and level 5.
- There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby on all floors.
- 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 not 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 high.
- The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
- The clear door width is 122cm (4ft).
- The dimensions of the lift are 135cm x 218cm (4ft 5in x 7ft 2in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is 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 a hearing assistance system.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.
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Comments
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- There are 2 similar lifts in this area.
Other Floors (ENT Building)
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Stairs
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- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
- There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are ground level, level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4 and level 5.
- 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 not 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 landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Comments
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- The lower ground floor and level 6 are not accessible to the public.
Ward (Children's Ward - Ward 31)
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Ward Information
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- This is a/an paediatric ward.
- This is a shared ward.
- There is/are 7 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 0 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 15 bed(s) on this ward in total.
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Ward Access
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- There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The automatic door(s) is/are push pad activated.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 127cm (4ft 2in).
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 149cm (4ft 11in).
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 115cm (3ft 9in).
- There is a door release button when exiting.
- The height of the door release button is 131cm (4ft 4in).
- There is level access throughout the ward.
- There is clear signage on the ward.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is some flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is some flooring on the ward which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- The lighting levels are varied.
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Reception/Nurses' Station
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- The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 77cm.
- There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
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Relatives' Room
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- There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
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Example Side Room
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- There are no side rooms available with an accessible ensuite.
- The width of the door opening into the side room is over 75cm.
- The side room surveyed does not have a ceiling track hoist.
- There is sufficient space next to the bed for a mobile hoist to operate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
- Bedside storage is available.
- The visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is high.
- The lighting levels in the side room are adjustable.
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Ward Features and Patient Facilities
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- 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 available on the ward.
- There are not washroom facilities for patients on the ward.
- There are toilet facilities for patients on the ward.
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Visitor Facilities
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- There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located on corridor 7C.
- There are standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
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Visiting Times
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- There are no set visiting times, please contact the ward in advance.
Consultation / Treatment Room (ENT Treatment Room)
- There is / are 2 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; ENT Treatment Room.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
- The door(s) is/are easy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 82cm (2ft 8in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is not a bed / couch.
- A hoist is not available.
- There is a chair.
- All chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is/are height adjustable.
- All chairs have armrests available.
- Some tables are permanently fixed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- Lighting levels are good.
Day Room / Lounge Area (Play Room)
- There is a day room/lounge area.
- 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) is/are easy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 84cm (2ft 9in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is a space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The seats do not have armrests.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- There is not a television.
- There is 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.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female and male toilets are located on the ward corridor.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m from the ward entrance.
- There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is medium.
- The colour contrast between the internal toilet door(s) and wall(s) is medium.
- The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- Toilet seats do not have a high visual contrast.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
- There are horizontal wall mounted rails available on both sides of the toilet.
- The visual contrast of the horizontal wall mounted grab rail(s) in the ambulant cubicle(s) is medium.
- The ambulant toilet does not have vertical wall mounted grab rails.
- There are additional ambulant cubicles with differing rail configurations.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 86cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The wall fixed soap dispenser is located above the wash basin.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
- The fixed rails in the ambulant cubicle are diagonal.
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Baby Changing Facilities
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- Baby change facilities are available in both the female and male toilets.
- There is a flip down baby change table available.
- The height of the baby change table is 97cm.
Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities (New Building)
- Accessible toilet facilities are located on level 1 of the new building, across the foyer from the reception desk, on level 2 of the new building, in the Spoons restaurant near the escalator, on level 2 of the Outpatients building, in the Coffee Doc Café, on level 7 of the Outpatients building, on level 9 of the Critical Care building and on the Old Victorian corridor.
- Female and male standard toilet facilities are located on level 1 of the new building, across the foyer from the reception desk, on level 2 of the Outpatients building in the Coffee Doc Café, on level 7 of the Outpatients building and on the ground floor of the ENT building.
- Shared standard toilet facilities are located on level 2 of the new building, in the Spoons restaurant near the escalator.
- Shared standard toilet facilities are located on level 9 of the Critical Care building.
- Parent and baby changing facilities are located on level 1, across the foyer from the reception desk.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- New Building - Building Guide link (new tab) - click here.
- Hospital Parking Guide link (new tab) - click here.
- Outpatients - Building Guide link (new tab) - click here.
- ENT Building Guide link (new tab) - click here.
