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 (Ward 47)
- Ward 47 is/are located on level 5 of the Leazes Wing.
- Access to Ward 47 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 East Block lifts. Take the lift to level 5, on exiting go through the doors into the corridor. Turn right and then take the first right, follow the corridor and Ward 47 is located on the right.
- There is step free access, via lift, to Ward 47.
- Ward 47 is approximately 30m 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 some 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 East Block Lifts 9, 10, 11 and 12)
- The lift surveyed is located in the East Block of the Leazes Wing, off the main corridor.
- The distance from the Leazes Wing Entrance is 86m.
- 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 129cm.
- The internal dimensions of the lift are 139cm (width) x 266cm (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 and a list of floor services/facilities.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
- There are other lifts available at this location which vary in size.
Opening Times (Visiting Hours)
- Monday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Monday 18:00 - 20:00.
- Tuesday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Tuesday 18:00 - 20:00.
- Wednesday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Wednesday 18:00 - 20:00.
- Thursday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Thursday 18:00 - 20:00.
- Friday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Friday 18:00 - 20:00.
- Saturday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Saturday 18:00 - 20:00.
- Sunday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Sunday 18:00 - 20:00.
Ward
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Ward Information
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- This is a/an Surgical ward.
- This is a shared ward.
- There is/are 4 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 5 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 21 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 but one door is locked.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- There is not an intercom/bell at/near this ward entrance which is in a suitable position for people who require access or assistance (between 95cm - 105cm).
- The hand sanitiser is not in a suitable position for wheelchair users.
- The width of the door opening is 84cm (2ft 9in).
- There is level access throughout the ward.
- There is clear signage on the ward.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is flooring on the ward with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
- The lighting levels are medium.
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Reception/Nurses' Station
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- The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 110cm.
- There is a lowered section.
- The height of the lowered section of the desk is 72cm.
- 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.
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Ward Features and Patient Facilities
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- A hearing assistance system can be brought in from another department/ward.
- The ward does not play background music.
- There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
- A mobile hoist is available on the ward.
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Visitor Facilities
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- There are accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located in the corridor outside ward 45.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Dressings)
- There is / are 1 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Dressings.
- 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 double width but one door is locked.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 79cm (2ft 7in).
- 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 is available.
- The hoist is electric.
- A sling is available.
- The sling is attached by hook.
- 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.
- All chairs have 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 bright.
Washroom
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Washroom Details
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- The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- There is/are 1 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This is an interchangeable between male and female washroom.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the washroom door.
- The washroom door(s) open(s) outwards.
- 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 84cm (2ft 9in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 340cm x 166cm (11ft 2in x 5ft 5in).
- 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 within reach and fully functional.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is a/are coat hook(s) 172cm 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 82cm.
- There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the wash basin.
- 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 90cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 133cm.
- 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 44cm (1ft 5in).
- The cistern is close coupled and can act as a back rest.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 88cm.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- 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 94cm.
- There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
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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 lever.
- There is a flip down/tip up seat for the shower.
- The height of the flip down/tip up or fixed seat is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- 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 high.
- The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the right of the toilet and wall is high.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- 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 medium.
