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 (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.
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.
Opening Times (Programmed Treatment Unit)
- Access is by appointment only.
Outside Access (Programmed Treatment Unit)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located to the left of the Urgent Care Centre.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is step free 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 140cm.
- The bollard(s) has/have a high visual contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
- The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
- There is a bell/buzzer.
- The height of the bell/buzzer is 147cm (4ft 10in).
- 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 140cm (4ft 7in).
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 110cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The automatic door(s) is/are push pad activated.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 106cm.
Department / Service (Programmed Treatment Unit)
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Department / Service Access
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- The Programmed Treatment Unit is located in the Urgent Care Building.
- There is level access throughout the department/service.
- There is clear signage on the department/service.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is some flooring in the department/service which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The department/service does not play background music.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Department / Service Facilities
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- This department/service has; a waiting room/area, treatment rooms, accessible toilet facilities for everyone and standard toilet facilities.
- There are 2 consultation/treatment rooms in this department/service.
- A hearing assistance system is not available in the department/service.
- A mobile hoist is not available on the department/service.
- There are accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
- There are standard toilet facilities within this department/service.
Waiting Room / Area (Programmed Treatment Unit)
- There is a waiting room / area.
- The waiting room / area is approximately 1m from the Programmed Treatment Unit entrance.
- There is level access into the waiting room / area.
- There is not a/are not door(s) into the waiting room / area.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is not a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
- All chairs are permanently fixed.
- Chairs with armrests are not available.
- There is not ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The manoeuvring space is obstructed by seating.
- Announcements are in person.
- The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
- There is not a television.
- Vending machines are not available.
- A water dispenser is not 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 moderate to good.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Bed Bay)
- There is / are 1 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Infusion Suite.
- 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) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is a bed / couch.
- The bed / couch is adjustable.
- A hoist is not available.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
- There are some chairs with 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.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Chair Bay)
- There is / are 1 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Programmed Treatment Suite.
- 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 double width.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 184cm (6ft).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is not a bed / couch.
- There is a chair.
- No 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 have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- Lighting levels are good.
Toilet with Adaptations (Programmed Treatment Unit - Right Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located along the main corridor of the Programmed Treatment Unit.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 21m from the Programmed Treatment Unit entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens inwards and outwards.
- The door is easy to open.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 167cm x 201cm (5ft 6in x 6ft 7in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The height of the light switch/pull cord is 100cm from floor level.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 78cm.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a sensor flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- There is a push button alarm in the toilet.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are general waste (with lid) disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is not a mirror.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a backrest.
- There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 84cm (2ft 9in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 72cm (2ft 4in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 96cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 123cm (4ft).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is medium.
- There is not a hand dryer.
Standard Toilet(s) (Programmed Treatment Unit)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The shared toilet is located along the Programmed Treatment Unit corridor.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 23m from the Programmed Treatment Unit 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 high.
- The colour contrast between the walls and floor is medium.
- Toilet seats do not have a high visual contrast.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 80cm.
- 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 basin.
- Lighting levels are good.
Standard Toilet(s) (Discharge Lounge)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The shared toilet is located opposite the discharge lounge.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 13m from the Programmed Treatment Unit 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 high.
- The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- Toilet seats do not have a high visual contrast.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 80cm.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The wall fixed soap dispenser is located above the basin.
- Lighting levels are good.
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.
- Urgent Care Centre link (new tab) - click here.
- Hospital Parking Guide link (new tab) - click here.
- Discharge Lounge link (new tab) - click here.
- New Building - Building Guide link (new tab) - click here.
