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Neonatal Unit (NICU)

Birmingham Women's Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TG

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Neonatal Unit (NICU))

Main Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of the main entrance.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 10 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 220cm (width) x 445cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 15m from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight slope.
    • This route has bollards.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • Electric Vehicle charging points are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located to the left of the main entrance .
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the drop-off point.

Main Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the hospital.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 157cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second, single automatic door.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 146cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low colour contrast.
  • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the hospital.

Neonatal Unit (NICU)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a shared ward.
    • The ward includes side rooms and bays.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this ward.
    • There is a buzzer at a height of 106cm.
    • There are double manual doors.
    • The doors open towards you.
    • The doors require effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 174cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
    • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • There is an automatic door, which is push pad activated, along one of the circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include moveable physical obstructions.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along circulation routes.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Reception / Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the reception desk is 110cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • Seating available on the ward includes: chairs without armrests, armchairs, benches and stools.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is a relatives' room for the ward.
  • Visiting Hours View

Neonatal Unit (NICU) Reception

  • Location View
    • The reception is located on the left as you enter the Neonatal Unit (NICU).
    • The distance from the Neonatal Unit (NICU) entrance is 6m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 111cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has windows which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Infant Feeding Room

  • The room is located on the left after the automatic double doors.
  • The distance from the Neonatal Unit (NICU) entrance is 13m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is an automatic door, which is push pad activated, along the most accessible route.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The width of the opening is 83cm.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
  • There is also a wash basin in the room.
  • The wash basin has a sensor tap.
  • The room has a pedal bin.
  • Seating available in this room includes: armchairs.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Parents' Lounge

  • The room is located along the corridor on the left as you enter the Neonatal Unit (NICU).
  • The distance from the Neonatal Unit (NICU) entrance is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 83cm.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs without armrests, benches and stools.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: tables and coffee tables.
  • None of the tables are fixed.
  • The surface height of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a television, a play area and a wash basin.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the left as you enter the Neonatal Unit (NICU).
    • The distance from the Neonatal Unit (NICU) entrance is 10m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 96cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a high colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 171cm (width) x 222cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 103cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 91cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a sensor tap.
    • The wash basin and tap cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 79cm from the floor.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the left side of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 98cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low colour contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 125cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a pedal bin and a clinical waste bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 150cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.