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Respiratory Unit

Royal Victoria Hospital, 274 Grosvenor Road, Belfast, BT12 6BA

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Respiratory Unit)

  • The Respiratory Unit is/are located on level 7 of the Critical Care building.
  • Access to the Respiratory Unit is via the main entrance.
  • Enter via the main entrance. Proceed straight ahead past reception and turn left after the escalators.
    Continue along the corridor to lifts A on the right.
    Take a lift to level 7C.
    Exit the lift and turn left. Continue through the lift lobby doors and turn left through the next set of doors into the level 7 lobby.
    The doors leading into the Respiratory Unit are straight ahead.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to the Respiratory Unit.
  • The Respiratory Unit is approximately 15m from the lifts A.
  • There are not resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is not 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.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.

Parking (Main Entrance - Blue Badge Parking and Drop-Off)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located opposite the Main Entrance.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are signposted and have markings which are faded.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 265cm (width) x 730cm (depth).
    • The hatched/marked zones vary between bays.
    • The width of the marked zone is 140cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 11m from the Main Entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy slope.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
    • The access road for the Blue Badge bays and the drop-off point is between the Blue Badge bays and the Main Entrance.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Free parking for Blue Badge holders is restricted to 1 hour.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located to the right of the main accessible hospital entrance.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the drop-off point.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the hospital, opposite the Blue Badge bays.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 114cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 134cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 171cm.
  • 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 are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 139cm.
  • 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 (Lifts A - RVH 14-15)

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead and to the right after entering through the Main Entrance.
  • The distance from the Main Entrance is 56m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • Levels 0 to 7 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium 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.
  • Some of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 131cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 153cm (width) x 262cm (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.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.
  • There are other lifts available along the main hospital corridor that are very similar to the one surveyed.

Entrance (to Critical Care Building - Level 7)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the end of the level 7 corridor.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 180cm.

Entrance (Level 7 Lobby)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on level 7 of the Critical Care building.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 121cm (3ft 12in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 132cm (4ft 4in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 118cm (3ft 10in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 197cm.

Ward (Respiratory Ward - Level 7 - Critical Care Building)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an respiratory ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 26 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 26 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) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 158cm (5ft 2in).
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 114cm (3ft 9in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 131cm (4ft 4in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 117cm (3ft 10in).
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • There is no 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 low to moderate.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the ward reception desk is 77cm.
    • There is not a lowered section.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • Relatives' Room View
    • There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
  • Example Side Room View
    • There are multiple side rooms available with accessible ensuites.
    • The side room surveyed does have an accessible ensuite.
    • The width of the door opening into the side room is over 75cm.
    • The side room surveyed does have a ceiling track hoist.
    • The hoist covers the bed.
    • There is sufficient space next to the bed for a mobile hoist to operate.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
    • Bedside storage is available.
    • The visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is medium.
    • The lighting levels in the side room are good.
    • The width of the door opening into the ensuite is over 75cm.
    • There is a clear unobstructed turning space within the ensuite.
    • The fixtures/facilities available in the ensuite include; a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
    • The visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the ensuite is high.
    • The lighting levels in the ensuite are moderate to good.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • A hearing assistance system is not available on the 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.
    • 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 level 1.
    • There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located on level 1.
  • Visiting Times View
    • There are set visiting times for the ward.
    • Visiting times are 14:00 to 16:00 and 18:00 to 20:00.
    • The visiting times are the same for each day.
    • Protected meal times are between 11:45 to 12:45 and 16:45 to 17:45.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the main corridor opposite reception.
    • 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 no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is low.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 212cm x 227cm (6ft 11in x 7ft 5in).
    • 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 136cm.
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin and storage items.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a push button flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
    • 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 high.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are general waste (with lid) and clinical waste disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf does not have the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
    • The shelf is at a height of 79cm.
    • The shelf is located where it is reachable.
    • The toilet does not have a backrest or a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
    • 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 89cm (2ft 11in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
    • 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 high.
    • The wash basin tap type is sensor.
    • 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 100cm.
    • 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 119cm (3ft 11in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is medium.
    • There is not a hand dryer.

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