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Birth Unit

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Great Western Road, Gloucester, GL1 3NN

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Birth Unit)

  • This route starts at the Tower Entrance Blue Badge Parking and Drop Off.
  • The most accessible route from here has step-free access via slope.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • This route also has a dropped kerb with tactile paving.
  • View further information about parking at the hospital (opens new tab).
  • Access to this ward is via the Tower Entrance.
  • There is a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • View further information about entrances (opens new tab).
  • This ward is located on Level 2 of the Women's Centre.
  • The ward is approximately 8m from the Women's Centre lifts.
  • Enter the hospital via the Tower Entrance.
  • Turn immediately right and proceed ahead, past the Tower Reception.
  • Head along the corridor towards the Tower Block lifts.
  • Turn left by the doors to the lift lobby, then turn right and go straight ahead.
  • Enter the Women's Centre and continue straight ahead until you reach the Women's Centre lifts on the right, at the far end of the corridor.
  • Take a lift to Level 2.
  • Exit the lift and the Birth Unit is located diagonally to the left.
  • This route to the ward has a lift.
  • Doors are held open along this route.
  • The flooring is shiny along this route.
  • There are resting areas along this route to the ward.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Dementia-friendly signage is not provided.
  • The following toilet facilities are available along the route: accessible toilet (with left hand transfer) and standard toilets.
  • View information about accessible toilet facilities in public areas (opens new tab).
  • View information on getting to and around the hospital (opens new tab).

Parking (Tower Entrance Blue Badge Parking and Drop Off)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located either side of the Tower 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 signposted and have markings which are faded.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 460cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 15m from the Tower entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight slope.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • 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 Tower entrance Blue Badge bays.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the drop-off point.
    • The maximum stay for drop-off is 20 minutes.

Entrance (Tower Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on the right side of the Tower Block.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 118cm.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 127cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 129cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • This entrance brings you onto the ground floor.

Lift (Women's Centre)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the rear of the Women's Centre.
  • The distance from the Tower Entrance is 159m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • The ground floor, first floor and second floor of the Women's Centre (0, 1 and 2) can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 2500kg.
    • The control buttons have a low colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 129cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 178cm (width) x 267cm (depth).
    • The control buttons have a medium colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a mirror to aid reversing.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Stairs (Women's Centre)

  • The stairs are located at the end of the Women's Centre, on the left, opposite of the lifts.
  • Level 0 to 2 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps have some clear markings.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 19cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm-45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Ward (Birth Unit)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a female only 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 an intercom at a height of 120cm.
    • There are double manual doors.
    • The doors open away from you.
    • The doors require effort to open.
    • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
    • The width of the opening is 85cm.
    • The doors have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a second set of double manual doors.
    • The doors open away from you.
    • The doors require effort to open.
    • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
    • The width of the opening is 85cm.
    • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • There are no doors to open along circulation routes.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along circulation routes.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • There may be background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Reception / Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the reception desk is 118cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the desk.
    • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
    • 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.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
  • Visiting Hours View

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Birth Unit)

Bedroom and Ensuite with Adaptations (Waterlily Suite)

  • Bedroom Access View
    • The bedroom surveyed is located ahead as you enter the ward, to the left of the Fuchsia Suite.
    • The most accessible route to the bedroom has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into the bedroom.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 81cm.
  • Bedroom Features View
    • The bedroom has a single bed.
    • The bed is height adjustable.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre next to the bed.
    • Seating available in the bedroom includes: a chair with armrests and a sofa.
    • There is a push button emergency alarm.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There is a birthing pool in this room, accessed via steps.
  • Ensuite Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the ensuite.
    • The ensuite door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 87cm.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a high colour contrast.
  • Ensuite Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the ensuite are 328cm (width) x 277cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 71cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are dropdown grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low 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 medium colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 92cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 75cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 96cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a long mirror.
    • There is a shelf, however there is an obstruction in front of it.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a clinical waste bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 104cm and 141cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • The ensuite has a bath with an overhead shower.
    • The height of the side of the bath from floor level is 56cm.
    • The bath has twist/turn controls.
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are twist/turn.

Standard Bedroom (Fuchsia Suite)

  • The bedroom surveyed is located ahead as you enter the ward, to the right of the Waterlily Suite.
  • The most accessible route to the bedroom has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is step-free level access into the bedroom.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens inwards and has a high colour contrast.
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The width of the opening is 81cm.
  • Bedroom Features View
    • The bedroom has a single bed.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre next to the bed.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • Seating available in the bedroom includes: a chair with armrests and an armchair.
    • Furniture available in the bedroom includes: a coffee table.
    • The following is also available in this bedroom: a flashing fire alarm.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.
    • The bed is height adjustable.