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Hydrotherapy

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Hydrotherapy)

  • This route starts at Firth Close accessible parking.
  • The most accessible route from here has step-free level access.
  • This route also has a dropped kerb with tactile paving.
  • View further information about parking at the hospital (opens new tab).
  • Access to this department is via the Chesterman Wing - entrance 11.
  • There is not a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • View further information about entrances (opens new tab).
  • This department is located in the Therapy Services Department on Level C of the Firth Wing.
  • The department is approximately 115m from the Chesterman Wing - entrance 11.
  • Enter the hospital via the Chesterman Building - entrance 11.
  • Follow the corridor to the end and turn left.
  • Proceed along the corridor to the Firth Wing.
  • Enter the Therapy Services Department to the right, check-in at reception and take a seat until you are called.
  • The Hydrotherapy entrance is located to the left of reception.
  • This route to the department has a slight ramp.
  • There are no doors to open along this route.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned along this route.
  • There are resting areas along this route to the department.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Dementia-friendly signage is not provided.
  • The following toilet facilities are available along the route: accessible toilet (with left hand transfer) and standard toilets.
  • View information about accessible toilet facilities in public areas (opens new tab).
  • View information on getting to and around the hospital (opens new tab).

Parking (Firth Close Accessible Parking)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on the east side of the hospital site.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • The Blue Badge bays are signposted but have no markings.
    • The nearest designated bay is 10m from Chesterman Wing - Entrance 11.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and uneven surfaces.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Chesterman Wing - Entrance 11)

  • This entrance is located on the east side of the hospital site.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • 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 172cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low 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 195cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Entrance (Therapy Services Inpatient Department/Hydrotherapy Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on Level C of the Firth Wing.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 110cm.
  • There are double manual doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The doors require effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 160cm.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 128cm.

Reception (Therapy Services Inpatient Department and Hydrotherapy)

  • Location View
    • The reception is located straight ahead from the Therapy Services Inpatient Department and Hydrotherapy entrance.
    • The distance from the Therapy Services Inpatient Department and Hydrotherapy entrance is 6m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 115cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the desk.
    • The height of the lowered section is 75cm.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Department / Service (Hydrotherapy)

  • Location and Access View
    • Hydrotherapy is located in the Therapy Services Department on Level C of the Firth Wing.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There are double manual doors.
    • The doors open towards you.
    • The doors require effort to open.
    • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
    • The locked door can be opened on request.
    • The width of the opening is 79cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
    • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • There is a manual door along one of the circulation routes.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high along circulation routes.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Hydrotherapy)

Pool (Hydrotherapy Pool)

  • This is a therapy pool.
  • There is step-free level access throughout this area.
  • Access throughout this area may include slippery surfaces.
  • There is an emergency alarm at poolside.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Access into the water is via steps.
  • There are 8 steps with a handrail on the left going down.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail does not cover the flight of the steps throughout its length.
  • The steps have some clear markings.
  • The pool is staffed at all times.
  • The following adaptations are available for disabled people: manual hoist.

Consultation / Medical Room (Rest Room)

  • The room surveyed was Rest Room.
  • The room is located off the pool area.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is a manual door along the most accessible route.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • There is a locked extension leaf.
  • The width of the opening is 75cm.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • The treatment table is free standing and height adjustable.
  • The length of the treatment table is 180cm.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: coffee tables.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Changing Area (Male)

  • Changing Area View
    • The male changing area was surveyed.
    • The changing area surveyed is located on the left as you enter Hydrotherapy.
    • The distance from the Hydrotherapy entrance is 3m.
    • The most accessible route to the changing area has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into the changing area.
    • There is a single manual door.
    • The door opens away from you.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a high colour contrast.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • Facilities in this area include: toilets, a changing bench and lockers.
    • There are lockers at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is step-free level access to the toilet facilities.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
    • The cubicle does not have vertical grab rails.
    • It has a horizontal grab rail on the left.
    • It has a dropdown rail on the right.
    • Hand washing facilities include: a wash basin and a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The wash basin has twist/turn taps.

Shower with Adaptations (Poolside Showers)

  • Access View
    • The shower surveyed is located at the side of the pool.
    • The distance from the male and female changing areas is 9m.
    • The most accessible route to the shower has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • This route has narrow walkways.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is not any signage on or near the door.
    • There is no door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is no shower seat.
    • There are grab rails for the shower.
    • The grab rails for the shower have a medium colour contrast.
    • There are no dropdown rails for the shower.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has no disposal facilities.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 181cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a medium colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • Only the left-hand shower has a coat hook.