Access Guide
Overview (Royal Victoria Infirmary)
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About
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- This is a large hospital with multiple services available.
- Services available in the venue include: Cafes, restaurants, a pharmacy and a convenience store.
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Parking and Public Transport
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- The venue has its own car park.
- The nearest bus station is Newcastle Bus Station.
- The nearest train station is Newcastle Train Station.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Traveline.info (opens new tab).
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Getting In and Around
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- There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
- There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
- The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: There are slight slopes in the Claremont Wing, which are used to access the hospital from the multi storey car park.
- Access throughout may include doors permanently held open and automatic doors.
- Level G, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4 Level 5 and Level 6 can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
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Getting Help and Assistance
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- There is seating available.
- There is no hearing assistance system.
- You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair and walking aids.
- There is a designated safe space which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
- The designated safe space is located on Level 1 of the New Victoria Wing.
- British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
- Documents are available in the following formats: large print (on request) and different languages (on request).
- There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
- There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
- Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi and TV pre-pay machines for patients.
Parking (Leazes Wing Accessible Parking)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located off Richardson Road.
- 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 237cm (width) x 467cm (depth).
- There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
- The width of the marked zone is 131cm.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
- The nearest designated bay is 32m from the Leazes Wing Entrance.
- The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
- There is no dropped kerb from the designated Blue Badge parking.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park is for Blue Badge holders only.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- Clearly presented parking signs are available.
- View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop-off point available.
Getting To (The Delivery Suite)
- The Delivery Suite is/are located on level 4 of Leazes Wing.
- Access to the Delivery Suite is via the Leazes Wing Main Entrance.
- After entering the Leazes Wing main entrance, continue ahead to the rear of the foyer. Turn left into the main corridor and follow signage to the West Wing lift. Take the lift to level 4, on exiting turn left and go through the Maternity Unit Entrance, then turn immediately left and right around the Maternity Admissions desk. Staff at the desk will need to open the locked doors to allow access to the corridor which then leads directly to the Delivery Suite.
- There is step free access, via lift, to the Delivery Suite.
- The Delivery Suite is approximately 47m from the West Wing lifts.
- There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the West Wing lifts and the department/service.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
Entrance (Leazes Wing Entrance - Level 3)
- This entrance is located on the south side of the hospital site.
- 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 157cm.
- 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 148cm.
- 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.
Lift (Leazes Wing West Block Lifts 4, 5 and 6)
- The lift surveyed is located in the Leazes Wing, off the West Block main corridor.
- The distance from the Leazes Wing entrance is 24m.
- The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
- Levels 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are accessed by this lift.
- The lift door has a high 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, Braille markings and a high 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 139cm (width) x 266cm (depth).
- The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high 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 visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
- There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.
Entrance (Maternity Unit Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located on level 4 of Leazes Wing.
- 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 double width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 166cm.
Opening Times
- The venue is open 24hrs.
Entrance (Access to Delivery Suite and Maternity Assessment Unit)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located to the left of the Maternity Admission desk.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 162cm.
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Comments
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- This door is always locked.
- It can be unlocked remotely for visitors by staff at the Maternity Admissions desk.
Ward
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Ward Information
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- This is a/an Delivery Suite ward.
- This is a female ward.
- There is/are 3 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 13 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 27 bed(s) on this ward in total.
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Ward Access
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- There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
- The 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 164cm (5ft 5in).
- The hand sanitiser is not in a suitable position for wheelchair users.
- There is level access throughout the ward.
- There is clear signage on the ward.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is some flooring on the ward with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
- The lighting levels are varied.
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Reception/Nurses' Station
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- The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 25cm.
- There is not a lowered section.
- There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
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Relatives' Room
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- There is not a relatives room for the ward.
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Example Side Room
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- There are no side rooms available with an accessible ensuite.
- The width of the door opening into the side room is over 75cm.
- The side room surveyed does not have a ceiling track hoist.
- There is sufficient space next to the bed for a mobile hoist to operate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
- Bedside storage is available.
- The visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is high.
- The lighting levels in the side room are bright.
- The width of the door opening into the ensuite is over 75cm.
- There is not a clear unobstructed turning space within the ensuite.
- The fixtures/facilities available in the ensuite include; a shower.
- The visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the ensuite is high.
- The lighting levels in the ensuite are bright.
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Ward Features and Patient Facilities
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- A hearing assistance system is not available on the ward.
- The ward does not play background music.
- There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
- A mobile hoist is not available on the ward.
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Visitor Facilities
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- There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located in the Ante Natal Clinic waiting area.
- There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located in the Ante Natal Clinic waiting area.
Washroom (Bath)
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Washroom Details
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- The washroom surveyed has a bath, a toilet and a wash basin.
- There is/are 1 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
- There is/are also 1 washroom(s) which has/have a wheel in shower.
- The washroom surveyed is located off the main corridor.
- The washroom surveyed is approximately 50m from the Delivery Suite Entrance.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This is a female washroom.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the washroom door.
- The washroom door(s) open(s) inwards.
- The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
- The door(s) is/are heavy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 120cm x 170cm (3ft 11in x 5ft 7in).
- The washroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is a/are coat hook(s) 170cm from the floor.
- There is a mirror.
- There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifictions, for ease of use.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the wash basin is 85cm.
- As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
- The tap type is lever. It is not a mixer tap.
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 100cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 132cm.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
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Toilet Details
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- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 43cm (1ft 5in).
- The cistern is not close coupled and no back rest is provided.
- There is not a lateral transfer space.
- There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 95cm.
- There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
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Bath Details
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- The height of the side of the bath from floor level is 60cm (1ft 12in).
- The bath is not height adjustable.
- The bath tap type is twist/turn. It is not a mixer tap.
- There is a shower over/for the bath.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- There are not wall-mounted grab rails available.
- A bath hoist is not available.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
- The visual contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is low.
- The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall is high.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- The visual contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Washroom (Shower)
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Washroom Details
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- The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower.
- There is/are 1 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
- There is/are also 1 washroom(s) which has/have a bath, a toilet and a wash basin.
- The washroom surveyed is located off the main corridor.
- The washroom surveyed is approximately 50m from the Delivery Suite Entrance.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This is a female washroom.
- There is written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
- The washroom door(s) open(s) inwards.
- The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
- The door(s) is/are heavy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 200cm x 128cm (6ft 7in x 4ft 2in).
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is within reach and fully functional.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is a/are coat hook(s) 162cm from the floor.
- There is not a mirror.
- There is not a wash basin.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
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Shower Details
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- There is a wheel in shower.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The shower control type is twist/turn.
- There is a flip down/tip up seat for the shower.
- The height of the flip down/tip up or fixed seat is 50cm (1ft 8in).
- There are wall-mounted grab rails available.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
- The visual contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is low.
- The visual contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is high.
- The visual contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
- Lighting levels are bright.
