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Avondale Acute Medicine Ward

Royal Preston Hospital, Sharoe Green Lane, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9HT

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • By Road View
    • Royal Preston Hospital is located on Sharoe Green Lane which is to the north of Preston city centre.
      Sharoe Green Lane is accessed from the A6.
      The A6 can be taken by heading north out of Preston or via junction 1 of the M55 heading south.
      If travelling by car, the postcode for a sat nav is PR2 9HT.
    • Pay and display parking is located on every side of the hospital.
      Blue Badge display parking is located to the north and to the south of the hospital.
      The main car parks for visitors are Car Park A, Car Park B, Car Park C, and Car Park G.
      Blue Badge parking bays are located in Car Park B, Car Park C, and Car Park G.
      In order to pay for your parking you will need to know your registration number. If you don’t know it, please write it down and keep it with you.
      The payment kiosks accept cash (both coins and notes) and give change. You can also make payment by credit/debit card.
      There is also a facility which enables you to pay online via the parkgood2go system.
      If you have left the hospital without paying for whatever reason, you can use parkgood2go to pay for your parking time up to midnight on the day after your visit.
  • By Bus View
    • The nearest bus stop is Royal Preston Hospital Stop 1 and 2 which is to the north of the site and to the left of the main entrance.
      The following buses stop at these bus stops: 19, 19A, 49, 125 Gold and the 43.
      Preston Bus Ltd now runs busses on some routes to the hospital that are accessible for anyone with a disability.
    • There is an onsite bus stop.
    • The on site bus stops are located on the north side of the hospital to the left of the main entrance.
      Bus stop 1 is served by buses 43 and 125 towards Preston.
      Bus stop 2 is served by buses 19, 19A, and 49 towards Preston.
    • The on site bus stops are sheltered and have bench seating.
      There is not space for a wheelchair user.
    • Bus stop 1 is approximately 80 metres from the main entrance.
      Bus stop 2 is approximately 100 metres from the main entrance.
      After exiting the bus turn left and proceed along the pavement adjacent to Car Park C.
      There is a crossing point across the car park access with dropped kerbs which have tactile markings.
      Proceed past the pedestrian crossing and continue along the footpath adjacent to Car Park B to the next pedestrian crossing.
      The pedestrian crossing towards the main entrance is located on the left, and is clearly marked with white and black markings.
      There is a dropped kerb with tactile markings on both sides of the crossing.
      The crossing point has an island in the middle which then takes you under a large canopy in front of the main entrance. The island is level with the road and has tactile paving.
      Continue across the pedestrian crossing and the main entrance is directly ahead.
      The road may be busy and traffic travels from right to left.
      The crossing point under the canopy crosses a patient transport drop off area and may be busy with patient transport ambulances. Traffic under the canopy travels from right to left.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest train station is Preston which is located 2.9 miles away.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance

  • To see the hospital map please click here (opens new tab).
  • There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
  • The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located on the ground floor, to the right as you enter the hospital via the main hospital entrance.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 07591 988 962.
  • 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 at the information desk.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, different languages on request, voice recognition CD on request and audio on request.
  • There is an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • The assistance dog toilet or toileting area is located at the front of the hospital.
  • 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.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact the information desk.

Hospital Parking (Car Park A)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located at the front right of the site as you enter from Sharoe Green.
    • 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.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located 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 inside the hospital building and at the front of the car park.
    • There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • 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 not clearly visible from the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the hospital entrance is not clearly signposted.
  • Comments View
    • Payment can also be made via app.
    • Blue Badge holders need to take the photo portion of their Blue Badge to the General Office to obtain a permit to park for free.
    • There are 2 electric vehicle charging bays at the rear left of the car park.
    • The bays are clearly marked and signed.
    • The width of the bays is 220cm.
    • The depth of the bays is 420cm.
    • The height of the card reader is 130cm.
    • The height of the cable slots is 118cm.
    • The charger requires an app for use.
    • Charging bays are limited to a 4 hour stay.

Hospital Parking (Car Park G)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located at the south of the site, off South Drive.
    • 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 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 234cm x 463cm (7ft 8in x 15ft 2in).
    • 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 not a designated drop-off point.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located 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 inside the hospital building.
    • Payment machines are located at the centre of the car park, between the patient and staff parking sections.
    • There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • 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 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.
  • Comments View
    • Payment can also be made via app.
    • Blue Badge holders need to take the photo portion of their Blue Badge to the General Office to obtain a permit to park for free.

Getting To (Avondale Acute Medicine Ward)

  • Avondale Acute Medicine Ward is/are located on level 2 of the Avondale unit.
  • Access to Avondale Acute Medicine Ward is via the Avondale Unit entrance.
  • Enter via the Avondale Unit entrance, turn left and follow the corridor down to the end.
    The lift will be on your right, take the lift to level 2.
    On exiting the lift, Avondale Acute Medicine Ward is straight ahead.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Avondale Acute Medicine Ward.
  • Avondale Acute Medicine Ward is approximately 45m from the Avondale Unit entrance.
  • There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the corridor and the department/service.
  • There are resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.

Outside Access (Avondale Unit)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the unit.
    • 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.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 133cm (4ft 4in).
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 145cm (4ft 9in).
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • 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 153cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

Lift (Avondale Unit)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left as you enter via the Avondale Unit.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 32m (34yd 2ft) from the Avondale Unit 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 and 2.
  • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open 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 not 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 125cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 158cm x 238cm.
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is 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 have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Other Floors (Avondale Unit)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, double doors which are easy to open to enter the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G,1 and 2.
    • 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 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 not 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 acute medicine ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 6 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 4 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 24 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.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 166cm (5ft 5in).
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 144cm (4ft 9in).
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 144cm (4ft 9in).
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 120cm (3ft 11in).

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities (Royal Preston Hospital Main Building)

  • Changing Places facilities are located on the ground floor, on Blue Street between the Burgundy Street and Green Street junctions.
  • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor on Yellow Street, just beyond the main entrance foyer between Blue Street and Main Outpatients, on the ground floor on Green Street between the Chaplaincy Centre and Charters Restaurant, and on the 4th floor of the Ward Block to the left as you exit the lift just before Wards 20 and 21.
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor on Yellow Street, just beyond the main entrance foyer between Blue Street and Main Outpatients, on the ground floor on Green Street between the Chaplaincy Centre and Charters Restaurant, and on the first floor of the Ward Block opposite the lifts.
  • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the accessible toilet on the ground floor on Yellow Street, just beyond the main entrance foyer between Blue Street and Main Outpatients.

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