Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Gordon Hesling Block

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

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

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 C)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
    • The car park is located at the front of the site, off North 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 and block paving.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • 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 230cm x 476cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 7in).
    • There is 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.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point.
  • Paying View
  • 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 clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 113m (123yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Comments View
    • Some of the Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • Some of the Blue Badge bays are signposted but not clearly marked.
    • The unmarked Blue Badge bays are smaller in dimensions than the marked Blue Badge bays.
    • Blue Badge holders need to take the photo portion of their Blue Badge to the General Office in the main building to obtain a permit to park for free.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the Gordon Hesling Block, off West Drive.
    • The entrance area/door is not 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 dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 41cm (1ft 4in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 153cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 155cm.
  • Comments View
    • The hand sanitiser is hand held and located on a table ahead as you enter the block.

Entrance (Green Street Internal Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor of the main hospital building, on Green Street.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 41cm (1ft 4in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • 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 171cm.
  • Comments View
    • The hand sanitiser is hand held and located on a table ahead as you enter the block.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is carpet.
    • Handrails are not provided in corridors.
    • Seating is not provided in corridors.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Signage and Wayfinding View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
    • The wayfinding signage does not include pictograms.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in public areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located along the main corridor, on the right hand side of the building as you enter from the main entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG, G, 1, 2 and 3.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 75cm (2ft 6in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 120cm x 135cm (3ft 11in x 4ft 5in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • Lift controls are 140cm high.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG, G, 1, 2 and 3.
    • The stairs are located along the main corridor, to the right hand side of the building as you enter the main entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 12m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor of the building, to the right as you enter the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 5m from the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 89cm.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 176cm x 262cm.
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 97cm.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a backrest.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • 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).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 83cm (2ft 9in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is poor.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 100cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is poor.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female toilet is located on the ground floor of the block, to the right as you enter via the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 7m from the main entrance.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • The colour contrast between the internal toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 92cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The wall fixed soap dispenser is located above the wash basins.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The male toilet is located on the ground floor of the block, to the right as you enter via the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 9m from the main entrance.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • It was not possible to access the male toilet.

Related Access Guides