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Centre for the Health of the Elderly - Akenside

Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Westgate Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 6BE

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

Getting Help and Assistance

  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; Braille on request, large print on request and different languages on request.
  • There is not a wheelchair to borrow to use around the building.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • There is not a/are not hearing assistance system(s) available.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • The car park is located opposite building 10.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • There is/are 3 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 390cm x 520cm (12ft 10in x 17ft 1in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 33m (36yd 3in) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 60m (65yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • 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 car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
    • There is a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The road is generally quiet.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • On Street Parking and Drop-off Details View
    • On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
    • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are not available.
    • There is a designated drop off point.
    • The drop off point is located at the front of the building.
  • Comments View
    • Blue Badge holders must report car registration and Blue Badge numbers to department receptions, or by calling 0191 223 1353, or by emailing [email protected] within 24 hours of using a space here.

Getting To

  • The Akenside Ward is/are located on the first floor.
  • Access to the Akenside Ward is via the Building 10 main entrance.
  • Enter via the Building 10 main entrance and proceed ahead and slightly to the left to the lift.
    Take the lift to the first floor.
    Turn left and follow the main corridor to the end after approximately 30 metres.
    Follow the end of the corridor round to the left into the Castleside lift foyer.
    The Akenside Ward entrance is located to the right of the Castleside lift.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to the Akenside Ward.
  • The Akenside Ward is approximately 55m from the main entrance lift.
  • There are resting areas along the route.
  • 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 (Building 10 - Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • 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 bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 135cm (4ft 5in).
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 145cm (4ft 9in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 115cm (3ft 9in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 126cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 127cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading up to the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
  • Comments View
    • There are intercoms to the wards to the right of the second set of doors.
    • The ward intercoms are 145cm high.

Lift (Main Entrance - Lift No. 36)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left as you enter the Building 10 main entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Building 10 main 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 and 1.
  • 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 fair.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is poor.
  • The clear door width is 130cm (4ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 162cm x 268cm (5ft 4in x 8ft 10in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of 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 not have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Other Floors (Main Entrance)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
    • 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.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Ward

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an Inpatient Dementia Service ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 10 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 10 bed(s) on this ward in total.
  • Ward Access View
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 77cm (2ft 6in).
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 134cm (4ft 5in).
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 128cm (4ft 2in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.

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