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Social Services

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Social Services)

  • Social Services is/are located on level 2.
  • Access to Social Services is via the Freeman Hospital main entrance.
  • After entering the Freeman Hospital main entrance, continue past reception and past the shop. At the information board turn left and continue ahead to the lifts on the left. Take the lifts to level 2 and on exiting turn left. Go through the double doors and continue along the corridor on the right. Social Services is located on the left.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Social Services.
  • Social Services is approximately 40m from the lifts.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the Lift and the department/service.
  • 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.

Multi-Storey Car Park

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the rear of the hospital grounds.
    • The car park is multi-storey.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • The height of the restriction barrier is 200cm.
    • There are 8 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 228cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 118cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 150m from the Northern Centre for Cancer Care accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has slight slopes.
    • There are manual doors along the most accessible route.
    • This route has uneven surfaces.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, visitors, Blue Badge holders and permit 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.

Main Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the hospital building.
  • 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 access via a slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There is a single automatic door.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 213cm.
  • The door has a low colour contrast.
  • This entrance brings you into level 2 of the ward block.

Ward Block - Lifts A, B, C, D and E

  • The lift surveyed is located at the end of the main entrance foyer corridor, on the left.
  • The distance from the Outpatients Department entrance is 95m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 2000kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a low colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 140cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 144cm (width) x 268cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a low colour contrast.
    • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a list of floor services/facilities, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer, an intercom hearing assistance system and a mirror to aid reversing.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:45 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 08:45 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 08:45 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 08:45 - 17:00.
  • Friday 08:45 - 17:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Entrance (Reception Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the main corridor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance, via lift.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 75cm.

Reception

  • The Reception Desk is located on the left as you enter.
  • The reception area/desk is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the 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 not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the desk.
  • There is not a low section of the desk (76cm or below) available.
  • There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the desk.
  • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low section of the desk.
  • 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 trained to use the system.

Waiting Room / Area (Waiting Area)

  • There is a waiting room / area.
  • The waiting room / area is approximately 1m from the 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.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 75cm (2ft 6in).
  • 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.
  • Announcements are in person.
  • The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a 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 medium.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Interview Room)

  • There is / are 2 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; 1.
  • 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) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 77cm (2ft 6in).
  • The type of flooring is carpet.
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is not a bed / couch.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not adjustable.
  • There are some chairs with armrests available.
  • Some tables are permanently fixed.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • Lighting levels are medium.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • The nearest Accessible toilets are located in the foyer of the restaurant on this level.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • The nearest standard toilets are located in the foyer of the restaurant on this level.

Related Access Guides