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Education Centre

Birmingham Children's Hospital, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, B4 6NH

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • By Road View
    • The Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital is located on Steelhouse Lane.
    • Parking is available at the NCP Royal Angus Car Park located on Whittall Street, B4 6HD opposite the hospital or Printing House Car Park located on Printing House Street B4 6DE.
  • By Bus View
    • Services 33, 51, 52, 65, 67, X3, X4, X5, 907, X14, 934, 935, 935A, 936, 997, X51 stop on James Watt Queensway or on Corporation Street.
      Services 16, 74 stop at the bus stop at Old Square.
    • There is not an onsite bus stop.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance (Birmingham Children's Hospital)

  • There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 0121 333 8403.
  • 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 in the main foyer.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request and Makaton 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.
  • A mobility scooter charging point is not available at the hospital.
  • Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact main reception.

Hospital Parking (Drop Off)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does not have a dedicated car park.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located outside the main entrance.
    • There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are dropped kerbs.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
  • Comments View
    • The drop off bay is 14m from the main entrance.

Public Parking

Opening Times

  • Opening times for the venue vary according to bookings/events taking place.

Getting To (The Education Centre)

  • The Education Centre is/are located lower ground floor.
  • Access to the Education Centre is via the main entrance.
  • Enter via the hospital main entrance and proceed up the ramped slope to reception. Follow the corridor and turn right, continue to the lifts. Take the lift to the lower ground and on exiting the education centre is to the right.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to the Education Centre.
  • The Education Centre is approximately 8m from the lift.
  • 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 flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the hospital.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 130cm .
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 147cm (4ft 10in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 127cm (4ft 2in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 171cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the left and right and beyond the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are in the centre going up the ramp.
    • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are medium.
    • The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
  • Comments View
    • The doors are locked at 10.00pm when the intercom is needed and exit button.

Other Floors (Restaurant - Comfort Kitchen)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG, G.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth 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 easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Lift (Main Lifts)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right on entering the main hospital entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 46m (50yd 11in) from the main hospital 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 LG, G, 1 and 2.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are 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 fair.
  • The clear door width is 129cm (4ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 146cm x 251cm (4ft 9in x 8ft 3in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in 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 a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.

Entrance (Education Centre)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located lower ground.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is no hand sanitiser at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 160cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 160cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading to Education Centre entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are bright.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located just beyond the Education Centre entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the Education Centre entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are not windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
    • The height of the reception counter is low (76cm or lower) .
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low section of the desk.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided in the reception area.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.

Room / Area (Meeting Rooms)

  • There is / are 8 room(s) / area(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room / area surveyed was; 6.
  • The room / area is approximately 12m from the Education Centre entrance.
  • There is level access to the room / area.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the 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 85cm (2ft 9in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is not a bed / couch.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
  • There are no chairs with armrests available.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • The room / area does not have background music playing.
  • There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room / area.
  • Lighting levels are medium.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located outside the restaurant in the corridor.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 13m (14yd 8in) from the lift.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
    • Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.

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