Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

X-Ray

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

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

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 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.

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.

Hospital Parking (Children's Hospital Car Park)

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

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

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

Lift (Car Park Access)

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

Getting To (X-Ray)

  • X-Ray is/are located on the ground floor of the Children's Hospital.
  • Access to X-Ray 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 ahead and X-Ray is located on the left.
  • There is ramped/sloped and lift access to X-Ray.
  • X-Ray is approximately 64m from the central 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)

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

Outside Access (Falls Road Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on Falls Road.
    • 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 140cm.
    • The bollard(s) does/do not 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 not a hand sanitiser.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 159cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 159cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.

Lift (Central)

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

Other Floors (Children's Hospital Central Stairs)

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

Opening Times (X-Ray)

  • Monday 08:30 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 08:30 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 08:30 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 08:30 - 17:00.
  • Friday 08:30 - 17:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.
  • Comments View
    • The department is occasionally open on Saturdays and Sundays, depending on requirements.

Department / Service (X-Ray)

  • Department / Service Access View
    • X-Ray is located on the ground floor of the Children's Hospital.
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the department/service.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 74cm.
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • 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.
    • There is some flooring in the department/service which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • The department/service does play background music.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Department / Service Facilities View
    • This department/service has; a main reception, a waiting room/area, a sub waiting area, treatment rooms and standard toilet facilities.
    • There are 5 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 not accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, near the rear lift.
    • There are standard toilet facilities within this department/service.

Reception (X-Ray)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located ahead as you enter the department.
    • The reception point is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the X-Ray entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are no windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The reception counter is placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are moderate to good.
    • The height of the reception counter is high (110cm+).
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a bell to attract attention.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There is bench seating only.
    • 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.

Waiting Room / Area (Imaging Room Corridor)

  • There is a waiting room / area.
  • The waiting room / area is approximately 10m from the X-Ray 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 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.
  • 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.

Imaging Room (X-Ray No. 1 - Plain Film and Fluroscopy)

  • This section describes the imaging Room(s), located off the reception waiting area.
  • There is / are 5 imaging Room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; X-Ray No. 1.
  • This room is not accessed via a changing room.
  • Imaging Room View
    • There is step free access into the imaging room.
    • The imaging room is approximately 3m from the reception.
    • The imaging room is approximately 1m from the main waiting area.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) has/have a closer and maybe difficult for some to open.
    • A member of staff is available to assist with opening the door if required.
    • The width of the door is 149cm.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the imaging room.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is a bed / couch.
    • The bed / couch is adjustable.
    • There is no hoist available.
    • The room does not have background music playing.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the imaging room.
    • The lighting levels in the imaging room are moderate to good.

Imaging Room (X-Ray No. 3 - Plain Film)

  • This section describes the imaging Room(s), located to the end of the imaging room corridor.
  • There is / are 5 imaging Room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; X-Ray No. 3.
  • This room is not accessed via a changing room.
  • Imaging Room View
    • There is step free access into the imaging room.
    • The imaging room is approximately 7m from the reception.
    • The imaging room is approximately 3m from the sub waiting area.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult for some to open.
    • A member of staff is available to assist with opening the door if required.
    • The width of the door is 149cm.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the imaging room.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is a bed / couch.
    • The bed / couch is adjustable.
    • There is no hoist available.
    • The room does not have background music playing.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the imaging room.
    • The lighting levels in the imaging room are low to moderate.

Imaging Room (Ultrasound Room 2)

  • This section describes the imaging Room(s), located on Hospital Street corridor.
  • There is / are 5 imaging Room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; Ultrasound Room 2.
  • This room is not accessed via a changing room.
  • Imaging Room View
    • There is step free access into the imaging room.
    • The imaging room is approximately 21m from the reception.
    • The imaging room is approximately 18m from the main waiting area.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
    • The door(s) has/have a closer and maybe difficult for some to open.
    • A member of staff is available to assist with opening the door if required.
    • The width of the door is 86cm.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the imaging room.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is a bed / couch.
    • The bed / couch is adjustable.
    • There is no hoist available.
    • The room does not have background music playing.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the imaging room.
    • The lighting levels in the imaging room are low to moderate.
  • Comments View
    • This imaging room is located in the Hospital Street corridor.
    • Patients still have to go from the reception waiting area, accompanied by a member of staff.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located in the imaging room corridor.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 9m from the reception.
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • 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 available.
    • The ambulant toilet does not have horizontal wall mounted grab rails.
    • There is a/are vertical wall mounted rail(s) on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The visual contrast of the vertical wall mounted grab rails in the ambulant cubicle(s) is high.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 81cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The wall fixed soap dispenser is located above and to the left of the wash basin.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are available in the shared toilets.
    • There is a flip down baby change table available.
    • The height of the baby change table is 80cm.

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