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Echo Cardiology

Freeman Hospital, Freeman Road, High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN

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Access Guide

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Getting To (The Echo Cardiology Unit)

  • The Echo Cardiology Unit is/are located on level 2.
  • Access to the Echo Cardiology Unit is via the Main Cardiothoracic entrance.
  • After entering the Cardiothoracic entrance, continue past the reception and turn right.
    Continue along the corridor past the toilets and turn left, follow this corridor and the unit is on the right.
  • There is step free access to the Echo Cardiology Unit.
  • The Echo Cardiology Unit is approximately 200m from the Cardiothoracic entrance.
  • 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.

Yellow Car Park

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the front of the hospital grounds.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 52 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 415cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 128cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 85m from the Outpatients Department entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has steep slopes.
    • This route has uneven surfaces.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders but not all users.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • Electric Vehicle charging points are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Cardiothoracic Centre Entrance

  • This entrance is located on the right side of the front of the hospital building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a steep gradient.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 141cm.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 126cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 136cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 129cm.
  • This entrance brings you into level 2 of the Cardiothoracic Centre.

Opening Times

  • 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.

Entrance

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the unit.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • The hand sanitiser is not in a suitable position for wheelchair users.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 122cm.

Reception

  • The reception is located on the left as you enter.
  • The reception area/desk is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the unit entrance.
  • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to the reception area/desk.
  • The lighting levels at the reception area/desk are medium.
  • The height of the reception desk is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the desk.
  • There is not a low section of the desk (76cm or below) available.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a portable loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • Staff are not trained to use the system.

Inside Access

  • There is level access once inside.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a portable loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested on 15/02/2022.
  • The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
  • Wayfinding signage is available.
  • No Braille signage is available.
  • No tactile signage is available.
  • No pictorial signage is available.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • The lighting levels are good.

Waiting Room / Area

  • There is a waiting room / area.
  • The waiting room / area is approximately 5m from the unit entrance.
  • There is level access into the waiting room / area.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the waiting room / area.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
  • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
  • All chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Chairs with armrests are not available.
  • All tables are permanently fixed.
  • The surface height of the lowest table is 52cm.
  • The tables do not 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.
  • 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 good.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Echo Room 5)

  • There is / are 6 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; Room 5.
  • 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 76cm (2ft 6in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is a bed / couch.
  • The bed / couch is adjustable.
  • A hoist can be brought in from another department.
  • There is sufficient space next to the bed/couch for a mobile hoist to operate.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
  • There are no chairs with 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 good.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Accessible toilet facilities are not available.
  • Comments View
    • Accesible toilets are located in the corridor between the main reception and the unit.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s) View
    • The shared toilets that were surveyed are located in the corridor to the right as you enter the unit.
    • The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the unit entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
    • Lighting levels in the shared toilets are moderate to good.

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