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 (Maternity Drop-off and Pick-up Area)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car park is located outside the Maternity 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 not a/are not Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
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Paying
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- There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
- Payment signs are not provided.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- Payment machines are located outside the Antenatal and Gynaecology Clinic Entrance.
- 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).
- To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
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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 with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is/are dropped kerbs.
- The hospital entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
- The route from the car park to the hospital entrance is not clearly signposted.
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Comments
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- This area is sometimes used for lorries and vans to drop-off, so public access can be restricted.
- There are only 4 standard parking bays, the rest are for staff only.
- There are 2 general drop-off zones in the car park.
Hospital Parking (Car Park G)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car park is located outside the Antenatal and Gynaecology Clinic 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 25 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 350cm x 470cm (11ft 6in x 15ft 5in).
- There is not 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.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop-off point.
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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 either 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).
- To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
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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 with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is/are dropped kerbs.
- The hospital entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
- The route from the car park to the hospital entrance is not clearly signposted.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the Antenatal and Gynaecology Clinic Entrance.
Getting To (Waveney Ward)
- Waveney Ward is/are located on level 6 of the Maternity Block.
- Access to Waveney Ward is via the Maternity Entrance.
- Enter the hopital via the Maternity Entrance. Proceed straight ahead past reception. Go through the double doors into the lift lobby and take a lift up to the sixth floor. Waveney Ward is immediately to your left as you exit the lift.
- There is step free access, via lift, to Waveney Ward.
- Waveney Ward is approximately 4m from the Maternity Block lifts.
- There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the Maternity Entrance and the department/service.
- Wayfinding signage is not 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.
Outside Access (Maternity Entrance - 8)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is step free 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 hand sanitiser but it is not at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 173cm.
- 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 173cm.
Other Floors (Maternity Block)
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Stairs
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- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
- There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are not 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 not 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 varied.
Lift (Maternity Block)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located just beyond the Maternity Entrance.
- Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the Maternity 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-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9.
- There are manual, heavy, double doors to access the lift lobby on all floors.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not 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 high.
- The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
- The clear door width is 115cm.
- The dimensions of the lift are 155cm x 235cm.
- 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 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 a hearing assistance system.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is good.
Ward
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Ward Information
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- This is a/an elderly reablement ward.
- This is a shared ward.
- There is/are 5 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 8 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 28 bed(s) on this ward in total.
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Ward Access
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- There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- There is not an intercom/bell at/near this ward entrance which is in a suitable position for people who require access or assistance (between 95cm - 105cm).
- The hand sanitiser is in a suitable position for wheelchair users.
- The width of the door opening is 118cm (3ft 10in).
- There is level access throughout the ward.
- There is no clear signage on the ward.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is some flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The lighting levels are varied.
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Reception/Nurses' Station
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- The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 104cm.
- There is a lowered section.
- The height of the lowered section of the desk is 74cm.
- There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
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Relatives' Room
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- There is a relatives' room for the ward.
- The width of the door opening into the relatives' room is over 75cm.
- There is a clear turning space in the relatives' room.
- There is a/are chair(s) with armrests available within the relatives' room.
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Ward Features and Patient Facilities
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- A hearing assistance system is not available on the ward.
- The ward does not play background music.
- There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
- A mobile hoist is available on the ward.
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Visitor Facilities
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- There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located in the Outpatient Department.
- There are standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
Washroom (Shower Cubicle)
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Washroom Details
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- The washroom surveyed has a shower.
- There is/are 1 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This is a shared washroom.
- There is written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
- The washroom door(s) open(s) inwards.
- The door(s) is/are locked by a locking handle.
- The door(s) is/are light to open.
- The width of the door opening is 75cm (2ft 6in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 190cm x 170cm (6ft 3in x 5ft 7in).
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
- There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is a/are coat hook(s) 155cm from the floor.
- There is a mirror.
- There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
- There is not a wash basin.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 128cm.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
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Shower Details
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- There is not a wheel in shower.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The shower control type is twist/turn.
- There is no seat for the shower.
- There are not wall-mounted grab rails available.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
- Lighting levels are bright.
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Comments
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- There is a 28cm step for access to the shower cubicle.
- This washroom was marked as staff use only at the time of the survey (April 2017).
- Patient washing is done at bedside.
Toilet with Adaptations
- The accessible toilet was out of order and being used for storage at the time of the survey (April 2017).
Standard Toilet(s) (Patients)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s)
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- The shared toilets that were surveyed are located outside Side Room E.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
- An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is available.
- Lighting levels are bright.
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Comments
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- There are similar toilets to this one outside most bays and side rooms.
Standard Toilet(s) (Visitors)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s)
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- The shared toilets that were surveyed are located to the right as you enter the ward.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
- An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Hospital Parking link (new tab) - click here.
- Central Zone link (new tab) - click here.