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 (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.
- Useful Links View
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Comments
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- PALS is available via telephone only.
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)
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Parking
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- 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.
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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 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).
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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 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.
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Comments
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- 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)
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Parking
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- 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.
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Drop-off Point
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- 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.
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Paying
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- 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).
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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 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.
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Comments
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- 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 (Speech and Language Therapy Department)
- The Speech and Language Therapy Department is/are located on the second floor of the Children's Hospital.
- Access to the Speech and Language Therapy Department is via the Children's Hospital main entrance.
- Enter the hospital via the main entrance and proceed ahead, passing the outpatients’ clinic on the left.
Continue ahead through the 'snake' glass corridor, then turn left and then right towards the lift.
Take the lift to the ground floor.
Upon exiting the lift proceed ahead then turn right, following the corridor up a slight slope.
Continue to the very end of the corridor then turn right, going through double automatic doors.
Proceed ahead down the corridor towards the hospital rear entrance lift which is located on the right.
Take the lift to the second floor.
Turn left out of the lift and proceed to the end of the corridor.
The Speech and Language Therapy department is located ahead. - There is ramped/sloped and lift access to the Speech and Language Therapy Department.
- The Speech and Language Therapy Department is approximately 17m from the rear lift.
- 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 (The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children 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 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.
Lift (Rear Hospital Entrance)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the left of the Falls Road entrance.
- Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 17m (18yd 1ft) from the Falls Road 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, 1 and 2.
- 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 77cm (2ft 6in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 111cm x 120cm (3ft 8in x 3ft 11in).
- 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 not 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.
Other Floors (Children's Hospital Central Stairs)
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Stairs
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- 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.
Opening Times (Speech and Language Therapy Department)
- Monday 08:00 - 16:30.
- Tuesday 08:00 - 16:30.
- Wednesday 08:00 - 16:30.
- Thursday 08:00 - 16:30.
- Friday 08:00 - 16:30.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Department / Service (Speech and Language Therapy Department)
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Department / Service Access
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- The Speech and Language Therapy Department is located on the second floor of the Children's Hospital.
- There is a/are door(s) leading into the department/service.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 77cm.
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 118cm (3ft 10in).
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- There is level access throughout the department/service.
- There is no 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 and consultation rooms.
- There are 4 consultation/treatment rooms in this department/service.
- A hearing assistance system is not available in the department/service.
- There are not accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
- Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, near to the Falls Road entrance.
- There are not standard toilet facilities within this department/service.
- Standard toilet facilities are located on the second floor in the Child Psychology corridor.
Waiting Room / Area (Speech and Language Therapy Department)
- There is a waiting room / area.
- The waiting room / area is approximately 2m from the department entrance door.
- 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.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs with armrests are available.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The surface height of the lowest table is 70cm.
- The tables do contrast visually with the floor.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- 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.
- 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 (Room 3)
- There is / are 4 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Room 3.
- 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.
- The door(s) is/are easy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 81cm (2ft 8in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is not 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 not/are not height adjustable.
- There are some chairs with armrests available.
- All 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 moderate to good.
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Comments
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- There is a small lip at the threshold as shown in photograph 3.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Room 6)
- There is / are 4 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Room 6.
- 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.
- 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 not a bed / couch.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is not/are not 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 moderate to 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.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Children's Hospital - Building Guide link (new tab) - click here.
- Children's Hospital Parking link (new tab) - click here.
