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Firth 8

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Firth 8)

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.

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 - NGL 40 and 41)

  • The lift surveyed is located in the Firth Wing, off the main corridor.
  • The distance from Chesterman Wing – Entrance 11 is 66m.
  • 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 tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 130cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 143cm (width) x 278cm (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 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 8)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a surgical ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There are 3 bays available.
    • There are 4 side rooms available.
    • There are 20+ 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 via lift into this ward.
    • There is an intercom at a height of 123cm.
    • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 110cm.
    • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
    • The doors open towards you.
    • The width of the opening is 163cm.
    • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 112cm.
  • 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 medium visual contrast.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Reception / Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the desk is 109cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • 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.

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Firth 8)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 6 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ward corridor, in each bay and in 2 side rooms.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard washroom facilities are located on the ward corridor.
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located on the left hand side of the ward corridor and within side rooms.

Room (Dayroom)

  • The room is located on the right when entering the ward.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • There is written text and dementia friendly signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
  • The doors open outwards.
  • The width of the opening is 163cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests and sofas.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables and coffee tables.
  • Some surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a television with subtitles.
  • There may be background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Shower with Adaptations (Shower)

  • Location and Access View
    • The shower surveyed is located on the left corridor on the ward.
    • The most accessible route to the shower has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is written text and dementia friendly signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • 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 medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is a shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails for the shower.
    • The grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The facility has 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.

Standard Bathroom (Bathroom)

  • The bathroom surveyed is located on the left of the ward.
  • 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.
  • The bathroom door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 76cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • The dimensions of the bathroom are 264cm (width) x 295cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is a wash basin, a wall mounted soap dispenser and a wall mounted towel dispenser available.
  • The wash basin has a lever tap.
  • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
  • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
  • Additional features include: coat hooks and an emergency alarm.
  • The bathroom has no disposal facilities.
  • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • The coat hooks are 170cm high.
  • The bathroom has a height adjustable bath.
  • The bath controls are push.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in Bay B.
    • 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 written text and dementia friendly 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 154cm (width) x 202cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 84cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 44cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high 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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 72cm 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 lever tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • 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 124cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle 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 uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

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.