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The Spice of Life / Grab 'n' Go

Royal Victoria Infirmary, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4LP

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Access Guide

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Overview (Royal Victoria Infirmary)

  • About View
    • This is a large hospital with multiple services available.
    • Services available in the venue include: Cafes, restaurants, a pharmacy and a convenience store.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • 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.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • 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)

  • Car Park View
    • 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.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • 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).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • 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 (Spice of Life / Grab 'n' Go)

  • Spice of Life / Grab 'n' Go is/are located in the main concourse, on level 2 of the main hospital building.
  • Access to Spice of Life / Grab 'n' Go is via the hospital main entrance.
  • From the main entrance on Victoria Road take the main lift located in the main concourse on the right up to level 2.
    Exit the lift and turn right and follow the corridor directly ahead to the left for approximately 20 metres.
    Turn right at the end of the corridor and Spice of Life / Grab 'n' Go is to the right.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Spice of Life / Grab 'n' Go.
  • Spice of Life / Grab 'n' Go is approximately 13m from the hospital main lift.
  • There are not resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.

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 07:30 - 19:00.
  • Tuesday 07:30 - 19:00.
  • Wednesday 07:30 - 19:00.
  • Thursday 07:30 - 19:00.
  • Friday 07:30 - 19:00.
  • Saturday 07:30 - 15:00.
  • Sunday 07:30 - 15:00.

Counter (Spice of Life)

  • The Spice of Life counter is located on level 2, to the right after you exit the main lifts.
  • The counter is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the main lifts.
  • The counter is clearly visible from the lift.
  • There is step free access to the counter, via lift.
  • There is a clear unobstructed route to the counter.
  • There are windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the counter which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • The counter is placed in front of a background which is patterned.
  • The lighting levels at the counter are good.
  • The height of the counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
  • There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • The counter is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Counter (Grab 'n' Go)

  • The Grab 'n' Go counter is located on level 2, to the right after you exit the main lifts.
  • The counter is approximately 35m (38yd 10in) from the main lifts.
  • The counter is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to the counter, via lift.
  • There is a clear unobstructed route to the counter.
  • There are windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the counter which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • The counter is placed in front of a background which is patterned.
  • The lighting levels at the counter are good.
  • The height of the counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
  • There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • The counter is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Inside Access (Grab 'n' Go)

  • 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 not available.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • The lighting levels are good.

Eating and Drinking

  • The following information is for the café.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 1m (3ft 3in) from the food area entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 70cm (2ft 4in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 71cm (2ft 4in).
  • The standard height for tables is 70cm.
  • Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
  • Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Menus are wall only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold snacks.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Accessible toilet facilities are not available.
  • Comments View
    • The nearest accessible toilet is located on level 2, in the main concourse, ahead as you exit the main lifts.

Standard Toilet(s)