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 (New Victoria Wing Car Park)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located at the front of the hospital site.
- The car park is open air/surface.
- The car park surface consists of tarmac.
- There are 15+ designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
- The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
- The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 239cm (width) x 467cm (depth).
- There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
- The width of the marked zone is 116cm.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
- The nearest designated bay is 58m from the main entrance.
- The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access, uneven surfaces and bollards.
- There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park is for visitors only.
- Parking is not free for all users.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- Clearly presented parking signs are available.
- Payment machines are located at the car park entrance.
- There is not a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
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Drop-off Point
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- There is a designated drop-off point available.
- The designated drop-off point is located to the left of the car park entrance.
- There is no dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
Getting To (Speech and Language Therapy)
- Speech and Language Therapy is/are located on level 2 of the hospital.
- Access to Speech and Language Therapy is via the main hospital entrance.
- After entering the main hospital entrance, continue ahead to the main lifts on the right. Take the lift to level 2 and on exiting turn right and then left. Continue ahead to the end of the corridor, take another left and use the corridor on the right with signs for rehabilitation and physiotherapy. The service is located along the corridor and on the right.
- There is step free access, via lift, to Speech and Language Therapy.
- Speech and Language Therapy is approximately 80m from the lift.
- 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 flooring in corridors with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
Entrance (Main Entrance)
- This entrance is located on the south side of the hospital site.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
- The door opens by revolving.
- The width of the opening is 226cm.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
Lift (New Victoria Wing - Lifts 9, 10 and 11)
- The lift surveyed is located in the New Victoria Wing, off the main lobby.
- The distance from the main entrance is 9m.
- The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
- Level 1, 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 and a medium visual contrast.
- All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- The lift door opening width is 110cm.
- The internal dimensions of the lift are 150cm (width) x 132cm (depth).
- The internal lift control buttons have tactile 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 hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
- Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
- There are other lifts available at this location which vary in size.
Opening Times
- Monday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Thursday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Friday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Reception
- The Speech and Language Reception is located on the opposite side of the corridor to the consultation rooms.
- The reception area/desk is approximately 80m (87yd 1ft) from the main lift.
- 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 medium.
- The height of the reception desk is low (76cm or lower).
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the desk.
- There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low section of the desk.
- The desk is staffed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Inside Access
- There is level access once inside.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
- Wayfinding signage is available.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
- 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 80m from the lift.
- 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 87cm (2ft 10in).
- 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.
- Some chairs with armrests are available.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Announcements are in person.
- The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is not a television.
- Vending machines are not available.
- A water dispenser is not available.
- There is 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 (Consultation)
- There is / are 4 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Consulting Room 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 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- A hoist can be brought in from another department.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is not/are not adjustable.
- All chairs have armrests available.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Toilet with Adaptations
- The nearest accessible toilet is located opposite Women’s Health Psychology.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s)
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- The shared toilets that were surveyed are located to the right as you enter the waiting area.
- The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 27m (29yd 1ft) from the 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 medium.
