Access Guide
Getting To The Hospital
-
By Road
View
- Ipswich Hospital is located to the east of Ipswich town centre. It is within easy access of the A12 and A14. Access to the hospital is from Heath Road (A1198).
- There are many onsite car parks at the front of the site and parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
-
By Bus
View
- There are regular buses that serve the hospital. There are bus stops in both directions on Heath Road, within 150m of the hospital site.
-
By Train
View
- The nearest train station to the hospital is Derby Road which is approximately 2.4 km away.
-
Useful Links
View
- National Rail Enquiries.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Travelling in Suffolk and East Anglia.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance
- There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
- The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located in the South Zone.
- The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 01473 704 781.
- The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is [email protected].
- There are volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
- Volunteers can be found throughout the hospital.
- Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: large print on request and different languages on request.
- There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
- BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
- Language interpreters can be provided on request.
- Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
- There is a Changing Places facility at this hospital which is located on the ground floor of the Central Zone.
- To view the Changing Places Accessibility Guide please click here.
Hospital Parking (Car Park F)
-
Parking
View
- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car park is located at the front of the site, close to the Outpatient Department.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park does not have a barrier control system.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
- There is/are 32 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 310cm x 470cm (10ft 2in x 15ft 5in).
- There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
-
Drop-off Point
View
- There is not a designated drop-off point.
-
Paying
View
- There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
- Payment signs are provided.
- Payment signs are clearly presented.
- Payment signs are located at the payment machines in the car park.
- Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- Payment machines are located at the front and rear of the car park.
- There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
- There is not a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
- To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
-
Access to the Hospital
View
- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
- The hospital entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
- The route from the car park to the hospital entrance is clearly signposted.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 55m (60yd 5in) from the Outpatient Entrance.
Other Floors (All First Floor Wards and Endoscopy)
-
Stairs
View
- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
- There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on the first floor.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are not easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a second lower handrail.
- There is a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
- The lighting levels are good.
-
Comments
View
- The lower handrail is on the right hand side going up only.
Lift (2)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located off the main corridor, in Area A.
- The lift is approximately 90m (98yd 1ft) from the South Zone entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on lift lobby landings.
- There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
- Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
- The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
- The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is good.
- The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
- The clear door width is 128cm.
- The dimensions of the lift are 150cm x 274cm.
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is good.
Entrance (Sproughton Ward - Rapid Assessment Unit and Stroke therapy Entrance)
-
Entrance Details
View
- This information is for the entrance located on the first floor in the South Zone of the hospital.
- The entrance area/door is 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 permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 170cm.
Waiting Room / Area (Patient and Visitor Lounge)
- There is a waiting room / area.
- The waiting room / area is approximately 5m from the Sproughton Ward - Rapid Assessment Unit and Stroke T entrance.
- 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 double width but one door is locked.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- 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.
- All chairs have armrests.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The tables do contrast visually with the floor.
- There is not ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The manoeuvring space is obstructed by the chairs.
- Announcements are in person.
- The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
- There is not a television.
- 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 space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
- Lighting levels are good.
Ward (Sproughton Ward)
-
Ward Information
View
- This is a/an medical and surgical ward.
- This is a shared ward.
- There is/are 4 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 0 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 24 bed(s) on this ward in total.
-
Ward Access
View
- 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) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 107cm (3ft 6in).
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- 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 which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
-
Reception/Nurses' Station
View
- The height of the ward reception desk is 77cm.
- There is not a lowered section.
- There is a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
- The type of system is a portable loop.
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- Staff are not trained to use the hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
-
Relatives' Room
View
- There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
-
Ward Features and Patient Facilities
View
- The ward does not play background music.
- There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
- A mobile hoist is available on the ward.
- There are washroom facilities for patients on the ward.
- There are toilet facilities for patients on the ward.
-
Visitor Facilities
View
- There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located on the first floor corridor in the South Zone of the Hospital.
- There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located on the first floor corridor in the South Zone of the Hospital.
-
Visiting Times
View
- There are set visiting times for the ward.
- Visiting times are 11:00 to 20:00.
- The visiting times are the same for each day.
Washroom (Shower Room)
-
Washroom Details
View
- The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- There is/are 2 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 in Bay A.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This washroom is interchangeable between male and female.
- There is pictorial and written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
- The washroom door(s) open(s) inwards and outwards.
- The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
- The door is easy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 200cm x 250cm (6ft 7in x 8ft 2in).
- The washroom does 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 a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There are coat hooks at 120cm and 160cm from the floor.
- There is a mirror.
- There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, 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 80cm.
- As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- The tap type is lever. It is 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 129cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 126cm.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- There is a/are nappy/incontinence items bin disposal units.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
-
Toilet Details
View
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet has a wall which can act as a back rest.
- There is not a lateral transfer space.
- There is a flush.
- There is a dropdown rail but no transfer space.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the right.
- 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 87cm.
- There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
-
Shower Details
View
- There is a wheel in shower.
- The shower does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- 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 51cm (1ft 8in).
- There are wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
-
Colour Contrast and Lighting
View
- The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is good.
- The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is good.
- The colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is fair.
- The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the right of the toilet and wall is good.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
- The colour contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is good.
- The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is fair.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
Accessible Toilet(s) (Assessment Bay - Left Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
-
Location and Access
View
- This accessible toilet is located to the left as you enter the ward, along the corridor, and to the left.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial, written text and dementia friendly signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- The door opens inwards and outwards.
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
-
Toilet Features
View
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 151cm x 207cm (4ft 11in x 6ft 9in).
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 83cm.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency alarm is fully functional.
- There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are nappy/incontinence items bin disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- There are coat hooks in the toilet at 120cm and 161cm from the floor.
-
Additional Fixtures
View
- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a backrest.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
- 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).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is good.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 73cm (2ft 5in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 80cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 125cm (4ft 1in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is good.
- There is not a hand dryer.
-
Comments
View
- There is an almost identical toilet located next to this facility with the transfer space on the right.
Standard Toilet(s)
-
Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
View
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
-
Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s)
View
- The shared toilets that were surveyed are located throughout the ward on the ward corridor.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
- An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is available.
- Lighting levels in the shared toilets are moderate to good.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Central Zone link (new tab) - click here.
- Hospital Parking link (new tab) - click here.
- South Wards Entrance link (new tab) - click here.
- South Zone link (new tab) - click here.