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Waterfall House Admissions Lounge

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Admissions Lounge)

  • The Admissions Lounge is located on floor 3 of Waterfall House.
  • The Admissions Lounge is approximately 6m from the Waterfall House Lifts.
  • The car park is located across the road from Waterfall House.
    There are dropped kerbs when crossing the road to this entrance.
  • View further information about parking at the hospital (opens new tab)
  • Access to the Admissions Lounge is via the Waterfall House Entrance.
  • Enter through the Waterfall House Entrance.
    Continue straight through the foyer and take the double doors on the left to the lifts.
    Take the lift to Floor 3 and the entrance to the Admissions Lounge is on the left.
  • View further information about entrances (opens new tab)
  • There is step free access, via lift, to the Admissions Lounge.
  • The most accessible route includes manual doors which may be difficult to open.
  • Some flooring is shiny .
  • There are resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • The following toilet facilities are available along the route; a changing places facility, accessible toilet (with right hand transfer), toilets for ambulant disabled users and standard toilets.
  • View information on getting to and around the hospital (opens new tab)

Outside Access (Waterfall House Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on Whittall Street.
    • There is not a drop-off point at this entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not 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 a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 124cm (4ft 1in).
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 124cm (4ft 1in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 130cm (4ft 3in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 115cm (3ft 9in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 150cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of 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 not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step Details View
    • The step(s) is/are located to the left of the entrance.
    • There is/are 2 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Public Parking

Lift (Waterfall House)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left when entering Waterfall House.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the Waterfall House 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, 2, 3.
  • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby on all floors.
  • 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 visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is medium.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 117cm x 269cm (3ft 10in x 8ft 10in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is 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 moderate to good.

Department / Service (Admissions Lounge)

  • Department / Service Access View
    • The Admissions Lounge is located on floor 3 of Waterfall House.
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the department/service.
    • 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 174cm.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 121cm (3ft 12in).
    • 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 122cm (4ft).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 118cm (3ft 10in).
    • There is level access throughout the department/service.
    • Staff can provide assistance with using any manual doors within the department/service.
    • There is no clear signage on the department/service.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is some flooring in the department/service which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is flooring in the department/service which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • The department/service does not play background music.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Department / Service Facilities View
    • This department/service has; a main reception, a waiting room/area, accessible toilet facilities for everyone and standard toilet facilities.
    • A hearing assistance system is available.
    • The type of system is a fixed loop.
    • Staff are not trained to use the system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested on 24/06/2024.
    • The hearing assistance system was not working at the time of testing.
    • A mobile hoist is not available on the department/service.
    • There are accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
    • There are standard toilet facilities within this department/service.

Reception (Admissions Lounge)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located down the corridor and to the left.
    • The reception point is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the Admissions Lounge entrance.
    • Clear signage for the reception area/desk is not 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 no 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 moderate to good.
    • The height of the reception counter is high (110cm+).
    • There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a bell to attract attention.
    • There is a hearing assistance system.
    • The type of system is a fixed 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.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested on 25/06/2024.
    • The hearing assistance system was not working at the time of testing.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is obstructed.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
    • No tables are permanently fixed.
    • 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 a television.
    • Subtitles are available.
    • Vending machines are not available.
    • A water dispenser is not available.
    • There is 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 moderate to good.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located behind the reception desk.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 17m from the Admissions Lounge entrance.
    • 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 and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • 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 high.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 220cm x 255cm (7ft 3in x 8ft 4in).
    • 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 132cm.
    • The transfer space is obstructed by storage items.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a lever flush.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • 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 not 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 a/are coat hook(s).
    • There are coat hooks in the toilet at 111cm and 141cm from the floor.
  • 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 87cm.
    • The shelf is located where it is reachable.
    • The toilet has a backrest.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
    • 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 93cm (3ft 1in).
    • 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 69cm (2ft 3in).
    • 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 113cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 113cm (3ft 8in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is high.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table is 87cm.
  • Comments View
    • The baby change table obstructs the turning space, however this is on wheels and can be manoeuvred.

Standard Toilet(s) (Male and Female)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female toilet is located on the corridor when entering the department.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 4m from the Admissions Lounge entrance.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • The colour contrast between the internal toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • The toilet seats have a high visual contrast.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 80cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The wall fixed soap dispenser is located above the wash basin and to the left.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The male toilet is located on the corridor when entering the department.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 4m from the Admissions Lounge entrance.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • The visual contrast between the internal toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • The visual contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • Toilet seats do not have a high visual contrast.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 79cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The wall fixed soap dispenser is located above the wash basin and to the right.
    • Lighting levels are good.