Access Guide
Getting To The Hospital
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By Road
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- Ipswich Hospital is located to the east of Ipswich town centre. It is within easy access of the A12 and A14. Access to the hospital is from Heath Road (A1198).
- There are many onsite car parks at the front of the site and parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
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By Bus
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- There are regular buses that serve the hospital. There are bus stops in both directions on Heath Road, within 150m of the hospital site.
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By Train
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- The nearest train station to the hospital is Derby Road which is approximately 2.4 km away.
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Useful Links
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- National Rail Enquiries.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Travelling in Suffolk and East Anglia.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance
- There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
- The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located in the South Zone.
- The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 01473 704 781.
- 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 throughout the hospital.
- Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: large print on request and different languages 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.
- Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
- There is a Changing Places facility at this hospital which is located on the ground floor of the Central Zone.
- To view the Changing Places Accessibility Guide please click here.
Hospital Parking (North Zone Entrance - Blue Badge Parking)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car park is located outside the North Zone 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 clearly marked/signposted Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 300cm x 500cm.
- There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
- The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is a designated drop-off point.
- The drop-off point is located in the car park, just outside the North Zone Entrance`.
- There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
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Paying
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- 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.
- 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 at the side of the car park.
- There is not 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).
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Access to the Hospital
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- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
- The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the North Zone Entrance.
Getting To (Ophthalmic Day Care Unit)
- The Ophthalmic Day Care Unit is/are located on the ground floor in the North Zone of the hospital.
- Access to the Ophthalmic Day Care Unit is via the North entrance.
- Enter via the North entrance and bear left along the main North Zone corridor, continue through several sets of double doors and past the restaurant. The Ophthalmic Day Care Unit is located through the next set of double doors on the left.
- There is step free access to the Ophthalmic Day Care Unit.
- The Ophthalmic Day Care Unit is approximately 132m from the North entrance.
- There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the North entrance and the department/service.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
Outside Access (North Zone Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building, to the right of the Woodlands Centre.
- 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 not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- 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 134cm.
- 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 136cm.
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Ramp/Slope Details
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up.
Opening Times
- Monday 08:00 - 18:00.
- Tuesday 07:15 - 18:00.
- Wednesday 08:00 - 18:00.
- Thursday 08:00 - 18:00.
- Friday 07:15 - 18:00.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Entrance
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor in the North Zone of the hospital.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is a hand sanitiser but it is not at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 150cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The 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 172cm.
Reception (Ophthalmic Day Care Reception)
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Reception
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- The reception point is located to the right on entering the department.
- The reception point is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the Ophthalmic Day Care 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 not 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.
- There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low section of the desk.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
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Reception Waiting Area
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- 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 are seats with armrests on both sides.
- The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
- There is a television.
- Subtitles are not available.
- Vending machines are not available.
- A water dispenser is not 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.
Reception (Nurses Station)
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Reception
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- The reception point is located inside the treatment area.
- The reception point is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the Ophthalmic Day Care 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 not 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 medium height (77cm - 109cm) .
- There is 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.
- There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low section of the desk.
- The counter is not staffed.
- There is not a bell to attract attention.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Treatment Area)
- There is / are 1 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Treatment Area.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There is not a/are not door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is not a bed / couch.
- A hoist can be brought in from another department.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is/are adjustable.
- All chairs have armrests available.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Standard Changing Room (Female Changing Room)
- There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
- The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located in the treatment area.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the Ophthalmic Day Care entrance.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the treatment area.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the reception desk.
- There is level access to the standard changing room(s).
Standard Changing Room (Male Changing Room)
- There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
- The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located in the treatment area.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 13m (14yd 8in) from the Ophthalmic Day Care entrance.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the treatment area.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the reception desk.
- There is level access to the standard changing room(s).
Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)
- There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is tactile, pictorial, written text and Braille signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is located in the treatment area.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the Ophthalmic Day Care entrance.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The door is light.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 96cm (3ft 2in).
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 216cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 1in).
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm in front of the seat.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The lateral transfer space was obstructed at the time of the survey.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is not a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
- The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are clinical waste disposal units.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the cubicle.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is a mirror.
- Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is not a hand dryer.
- 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 120cm (3ft 11in).
- 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).
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 91cm.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 76cm (2ft 6in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is poor.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are not available.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Central Zone link (new tab) - click here.
- Hospital Parking link (new tab) - click here.
- North Zone link (new tab) - click here.