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Relatives Accommodation

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

  • 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.

Hospital Parking (Main Entrance - Blue Badge Parking and Drop Off Point)

  • Parking View
    • 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.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • 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.
  • Paying View
    • There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
  • 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 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)

  • Parking View
    • 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.
  • 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 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.
  • 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 clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 54m (59yd 2in) from the hospital underpass entrance.
  • Comments View
    • 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.

Getting To (Relatives Accommodation)

  • Relatives Accommodation is/are located at the end of the level 4 corridor.
  • Access to Relatives Accommodation is via the new building main accessible entrance.
  • After entering the hospital proceed ahead, past the reception and carry on until you reach the escalator.
    Turn right and take lift A up to level 4.
    Follow the corridor to the end, go through then entrance to the Critical Care Building and the entrance to Relatives Accommodation will be seen on the left.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Relatives Accommodation.
  • Relatives Accommodation is approximately 197m from the lift A.
  • There are 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.

Outside Access (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 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.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • 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)

  • Entrance Details View
    • 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.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • 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.

Lift (Lift A - Dual)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located on the right opposite the escalator, after passing reception.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 57m (62yd 1ft) from the main accessible 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 0, level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, level 5, level 6 and level 7.
  • 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 not within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The external controls are between 110cm and 121cm 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 medium.
  • The clear door width is 132cm (4ft 4in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 144cm x 284cm (4ft 9in x 9ft 4in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not 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 not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The internal controls are between 101cm and 127cm 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 (Stair A)

  • Stairs View
    • 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 4, level 5, level 6 and level 7.
    • 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 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 moderate to good.

Entrance (to Critical Care Building - Level 4)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the end of the level 4 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 a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 117cm (3ft 10in).
    • 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 174cm.

Entrance (Relatives Accommodation)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the end of the level 4 corridor.
    • 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) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 188cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • 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 90cm.

Inside Access (Relatives Accommodation)

  • There is level access once inside.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are not allowed in public parts of the venue.
  • Wayfinding signage is not available.
  • No Braille signage is available.
  • No tactile signage is available.
  • No pictorial signage is available.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • In the Relatives Accommodation corridor there is assorted seating available with and without armrests, as well as a desk at a height of 73cm.
    • There is also a kitchen sink unit with drawers and cupboards, a fridge, microwave, toaster and a wall mounted water heater.
    • The height of the kitchen unit is 90cm.

Room (Relatives Accommodation)

  • General Information View
    • There are 6 rooms in total.
  • Accessible Rooms View
    • There are not accessible ensuite facilities.
  • Standard Rooms on Other Floors View
    • There are standard rooms on other floors.
    • The other floors can be accessed by lift.
    • There is level access to standard rooms on other floors.
    • Adjoining rooms are not available.
  • Comments View
    • Within the room surveyed is a single bed, bedside storage and seating with armrests on both sides.
    • There is also an ensuite with a standard toilet, wash basin and shower.

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.

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