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Assessment and Birthing Centre

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • By Road View
      • From the South

        From the M6 take the exit towards A38(M) to Birmingham Central, continue for 1.9 miles, then take Wellington Rd and Edgbaston Park Rd to Mindelsohn Way.
        Stay on the Aston Express Way/A38 in the right lanes follow A38 for about 9 miles. Then turn right then left onto Spring Road. Then turn right onto Wellington Road for 0.5 miles then continue straight onto Sir Harrys Road.
        Continue onto Priory Road, then at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Church Rd/B4217.
        After 0.1 miles turn left onto Edgbaston Park Road, turn right onto Somerset Road, then turn left onto Farquhar Road.
        At the next roundabout, continue straight onto Vincent Drive, then turn right onto Mindelsohn Way. The Hospital will be on right.

      • From the North

      • From the M5 leave at Junction 1, continue on A4252 for 19 minutes (5.7 miles).
        At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Kenrick Way/A4252.
        Go straight then at the next roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Telford Way/A4252.
        Follow the road until the next roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Tollhouse Way/A457.
        Follow road then at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Grove Lane/A457. Then the next roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Dudley Road/A457.
        Then turn right onto Rotton Park Rd/B4129.
        Follow the road then turn right onto City Rd/A4040 and then turn left onto Rotton Park Rd/B4129.
        Turn left onto Portland Rd/B4125 then turn right onto Rotton Park Rd/B4129 Continue until you turn left onto Somerset Rd.
        At the roundabout, then take the 1st exit and stay on Somerset Rd.
        At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Pritchatts Rd then the next roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Vincent Drive.
        Then turn right onto Mindelsohn Way, the Hospital will be on the left.
        .
    • The car parking is open air, tarmac surface, with no barriers and is located to the front of the building.
      Public could use the nearest multi-storey car parks around the Queen Elizabeth Hospital if this is full, these have charges separate to the Women's Hospital.
  • By Bus View
    • The nearest Bus Stop is and is Metchley Park Road and serve by nxbus.
      Services to this stop are 10H, 10S, 27 and 19. This is off site and approximately 400 metres away on public footpaths.
    • There is not an onsite bus stop.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest Train Station is University, it is served by cross-country trains and London midland.
      The station is a 6 minute walk on public footpaths over 500 meters away or a 5 minute taxi ride.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance

  • 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 335 8226.
  • 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 reception area from Monday to Saturday.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print, Makaton on request, different languages on request, voice recognition CD on request and audio on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available on request.
  • 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, walking frames and crutches.

Hospital Parking

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located in front of the main hospital entrance.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 9 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 570cm x 590cm (18ft 8in x 19ft 4in).
    • There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located to the front left of the main hospital entrance.
    • There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located at the payment machines in the car park and throughout the car park.
    • Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Payment machines are located throughout the car park.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is not a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
    • To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
  • 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 slopes/ramps.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main hospital entrance.
  • Comments View
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders only if they park in a Blue Badge bay.

Getting To (Assessment and Birthing Centre)

  • The Assessment and Birthing Centre is/are located on the ground floor.
  • Access to the Assessment and Birthing Centre is via the main hospital entrance.
  • Enter via the main hospital entrance and follow the corridor around, through the double doors. Bear left and follow the corridor past the Café, the entrance to the Assessment and Birthing Centre is on the right.
  • There is step free access to the Assessment and Birthing Centre.
  • The Assessment and Birthing Centre is approximately 54m from the main hospital entrance.
  • 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 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.

Outside Access (Main Hospital Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the front left of the main hospital building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not 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 not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 158cm.
    • 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 146cm.

Opening Times

  • The venue is open 24hrs.

Entrance (Assessment and Birthing Centre)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right of main entrance, past the Café.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 150cm.

Reception (Assessment and Birthing Centre)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located within the waiting area.
    • The reception point is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the Assessment and Birthing 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 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 good.
    • The height of the reception counter is low (76cm or lower) .
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • 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 provided in the reception area.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
    • 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 a flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
    • There is a television.
    • Subtitles are available.
    • Vending machines are available.
    • A water dispenser is available.
    • There is not 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 medium.

Entrance (Birth Centre)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located within the Assessment and Birthing Centre.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 151cm (4ft 11in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 138cm (4ft 6in).
    • 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 152cm.
  • Comments View
    • The door has controlled access, which is operated by reception.

Entrance (Delivery Suite)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located within the Assessment and Birthing Centre.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 151cm (4ft 11in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 108cm (3ft 7in).
    • 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 152cm.
  • Comments View
    • The door has controlled access, which is operated by reception.

Entrance (Day Assessment & Triage)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located within the Assessment and Birthing Centre.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 141cm (4ft 8in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 109cm (3ft 7in).
    • 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 153cm.
  • Comments View
    • The door has controlled access, which is operated by reception.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located within the waiting room to the left of the Assessment and Birthing Centre entrance.
  • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the Assessment and Birthing Centre.
  • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
  • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is available.
  • Lighting levels are medium.
  • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located The closest toilet is near the main hospital entrance.

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