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 (Fetal Medicine)
- Fetal Medicine is/are located on level 4 of the Leazes Wing.
- Access to Fetal Medicine 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 Block lift. Take the lift to level 4, on exiting turn left and go through the Maternity Unit Entrance, then turn immediately right and follow the corridor until you reach the Antenatal Clinic. Turn right at the Antenatal reception and follow signs into Fetal Medicine.
- There is step free access, via lift, to Fetal Medicine.
- Fetal Medicine is approximately 35m from the Leazes Wing West Block lifts.
- 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.
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 (Maternity Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located on level 4 of the Leazes Wing.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
- 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.
Level Change (Access Corridor)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located in the corridor just beyond the Maternity Entrance.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are medium.
Entrance (Fetal Medicine 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 ramped/sloped 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 permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 154cm.
Reception
- The Fetal Medicine reception is located on level 4 of Leazes Wing.
- The reception area/desk is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the Fetal Medicine entrance.
- Clear signage for the reception area/desk is visible from the entrance.
- There is step free access to the reception area/desk.
- The lighting levels at the reception area/desk are bright.
- The height of the reception desk is high (110cm+).
- 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 fixed loop.
Inside Access
- There is level access once inside.
- This venue does play background music.
- Music is played in the waiting area.
- Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
- Wayfinding signage is not available.
- The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate.
- There is flooring in corridors with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Waiting Room / Area
- There is a waiting room / area.
- The waiting room / area is approximately 14m from the Fetal Medicine Entrance.
- There is level access into the waiting room / area.
- There is not a/are not door(s) into the waiting room / area.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- Chairs with armrests are not available.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Announcements are in person.
- The waiting room / area does have background music playing.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
- There is a television.
- Subtitles are not available.
- 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 not space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Ultrasound Room 2)
- There is / are 2 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Ultrasound Room 2.
- 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 with an open extension leaf.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 104cm (3ft 5in).
- 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 adjustable.
- There are some chairs with armrests available.
- No 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 adjustable.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Counselling 3)
- There is / are 5 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Counselling 3.
- 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 76cm (2ft 6in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is a bed / couch.
- The bed / couch is not adjustable.
- There is not 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 adjustable.
- There are some chairs with armrests available.
- No 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 bright.
Toilet with Adaptations
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is located in the waiting area.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 17m (18yd 1ft) from the Fetal Medicine Entrance.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The door is heavy.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 225cm x 170cm (7ft 5in x 5ft 7in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm in front of the seat.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 130cm (4ft 3in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
- The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the cubicle.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is a mirror.
- Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is not a hand dryer.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 80cm.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- There is a high visual contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are bright.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s)
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- The shared toilets that were surveyed are located in the waiting area.
- The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the Fetal Medicine 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 are bright.
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Comments
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- There is an additional shared toilet at the rear of the unit.
