Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Firth 1

Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield , S5 7AT

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

Parking (Huntsman Entrance - Accessible Parking and Drop-Off)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on the south side of the hospital site, in front of the Huntsman Building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 6 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 229cm (width) x 454cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 125cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 31m from Huntsman Building - Entrance 3.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has slight ramps or slopes, uneven surfaces and bollards.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located in front of the Huntsman Building entrance.

Getting To (Firth 1)

Entrance (Huntsman Building - Entrance 3)

  • This entrance is located on the south side of the hospital site.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 151cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 153cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • The minimum width between the bollards is 178cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift (Firth Wing - No. 38 and 39)

  • The lift surveyed is located in the Firth Wing, off the main corridor.
  • The distance from Huntsman Building Entrance 3 is 69m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • Level B, C, D and E are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have a medium visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • The majority of the external controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 125cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 153cm (width) x 286cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which vary in size.

Ward (Firth 1)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is an Elderly Care ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There are 2 bays available.
    • There are 2 side rooms available.
    • There are 10 beds in total on the ward.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this ward.
    • There is an intercom at a height of 112cm.
    • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 120cm.
    • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
    • The doors open towards you.
    • The width of the opening is 153cm.
    • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 126cm.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • Reception / Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the desk is 106cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The desk has a television.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • Seating available on the ward includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • The hoist is mobile.
    • There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: toilets with adaptations and washrooms.
    • The nearest toilet with adaptations for visitors is located at the Main Huntsman Building Entrance.
  • Visiting Hours View
    • There are set visiting times for the ward.
    • Visiting times are 08:00 - 20:00.
    • Protected meal times are between 12:00 - 13:00 and 17:00 - 18:00.

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Firth 1)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ward corridor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The washroom facilities which have adaptations are located on the ward corridor.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located at the rear of the ward corridor.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens both ways and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 246cm (width) x 225cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 86cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 43cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 68cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 89cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a twist/turn tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 139cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 120cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is a shelf, however there is an obstruction in front of it.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a clinical waste bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 149cm and 153cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Bathroom with Adaptations (Bathroom/Toilet)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located on the ward corridor.
    • The most accessible route to the bathroom has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into the bathroom.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 160cm (width) x 265cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is not a lateral transfer space next to the toilet.
    • There is a lever flush on the right as you face the toilet.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the left as you face the toilet.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 76cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a twist/turn tap.
    • There are no vertical grab rails at the wash basin.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 142cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 119cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The bathroom has a waste bin and a clinical waste bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • The bathroom has a standard bath.
    • The height of the side of the bath from floor level is 50cm.
    • The bath controls are twist/turn.

Standard Shower Facilities

  • The standard shower facilities surveyed are located on the ward corridor.
  • The most accessible route has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • There is step-free level access .
  • The door opens both ways and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
  • Internally the door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is an adjustable shower head.
  • The shower controls are lever mixer.
  • There is no shower seat.
  • Additional features include: a mirror, a coat hook and a shelf.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There is a step into the shower cubicle at a height of 18cm.

Wheelchair Stations

  • If you have mobility issues and need help getting around the site, you can access a hospital wheelchair from one of the wheelchair stations, located at main entrances.
  • You may need a £1 coin or trolley token to access a chair.
  • If you have any issues, please speak to a volunteer, receptionist or porter who will be able to assist.
  • Locations can be found here.