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Parent Accommodation

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

Getting To (Parent Accommodation)

  • Parent Accommodation is/are located on the second floor.
  • Access to Parent Accommodation is via the Main Hospital entrance.
  • Enter via the main hospital entrance and proceed along the main corridor past the reception located on the right. Turn right on to Hospital Street and take the main lifts located on the left to the second floor. On exiting turn right and continue along the main corridor and the Parent Accommodation is located to the left.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Parent Accommodation.
  • Parent Accommodation is approximately 12m from the lifts.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the Main Hospital entrance and the department/service.
  • 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 (Main Stairs)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG, G, 1, 2.
    • 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 the left going up.
    • Handrails are not 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.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There are three sets of stairs located throughout the hospital.

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.

Opening Times

  • This service is open 24 hours.

Entrance

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the second floor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is an intercom but it is not at a convenient height for wheelchair users to gain access.
    • There is a hand sanitiser but it is not at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • The main 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 161cm.

Inside Access

  • 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.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate and wood.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • The lighting levels are medium.

Room / Area (Sitting Room)

  • There is / are 1 room(s) / area(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room / area surveyed was; Sitting Room.
  • The room / area is approximately 4m from the Parent Accommodation 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) may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
  • The type of flooring is carpet.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is not a bed / couch.
  • There is a chair.
  • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
  • There are some chairs with armrests available.
  • Some tables are permanently fixed.
  • The room / area does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room / area.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.

Washroom

  • Washroom Details View
    • The washroom surveyed has a bath and a wash basin.
    • There is/are 1 washroom(s) of this type in the unit.
    • There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the service.
    • This is a shared washroom.
    • There is tactile, pictorial and written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
    • The washroom door(s) open(s) inwards.
    • 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 73cm (2ft 5in).
    • The dimensions of the washroom are 103cm x 195cm (3ft 5in x 6ft 5in).
    • The washroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • There is not an emergency pull cord alarm.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s) 174cm 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 height of the wash basin is 84cm.
    • There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the wash basin.
    • The tap type is twist/turn. It is not a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 126cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 122cm.
    • The washroom does not have a non-slip floor.
  • Bath Details View
    • There is a bath.
    • The height of the side of the bath from floor level is 53cm (1ft 9in).
    • The bath is not height adjustable.
    • The bath tap type is twist/turn. It is not a mixer tap.
    • There is a shower over/for the bath.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • There are not wall-mounted grab rails available.
    • A bath hoist is not available.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is poor.
    • The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is poor.
    • The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is poor.
    • Lighting levels are medium.

Accessible Toilet

  • The accessible toilet was out of use at the time of the survey.

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 to the right on entering Parent Accommodation.
    • The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the Parent Accommodation entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
    • Lighting levels are medium.

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