Access Guide
Getting Here
-
By Road
View
- Leave the M57 motorway at junction 6 and take the A506 towards Fazakerley. Follow the road for around 1.5 miles and then turn left into the main site of the Aintree University Hospital. Turn left at the mini-roundabout then take the second left. The Sid Watkins Centre will then be on the left.
- The centre has a car park for Blue Badge holders only. The car park is chargeable, and users can pay in the hospital pay and display car park opposite the venue.
-
By Bus
View
- The nearest bus stops are 150m and 200m away on Broadway. These provide direct services to and from Fazakerley, Woodfall Heath, Croxteth Park, and Walton. Buses 36, 102, and 214 serve these bus stops.
-
By Train
View
- The nearest train station, Fazakerley, is 400m away just off Longmoor Lane. This station provides direct services to and from Liverpool Lime Street and Kirkby.
- Useful Links View
Getting Help and Assistance
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
- British Sign Language interpreters cannot be provided on request.
- Language interpreters can be provided on request.
- The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; Braille on request, large print on request and different languages on request.
- There is a wheelchair to borrow to use around the building.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
- There is not a/are not hearing assistance system(s) available.
- Home visits services are not available.
Parking
- The venue does have its own car park.
-
Venue Car Park
View
- Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
- The car park is located at the front of the building.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
- There is/are 10+ Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 228cm x 460cm (7ft 6in x 15ft 1in).
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 33m (36yd 3in) from the main entrance.
- The furthest Blue Badge bay is 62m (67yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
- There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
-
Public Car Parks
View
- There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
- The name of the car park is Aintree Hospital Pay and Display car park.
- The car park is located opposite the venue.
- There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available within the car park.
-
On Street Parking and Drop-off Details
View
- On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
- Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are not available.
- There is not a designated drop off point.
-
Comments
View
- The venue car park is for Blue Badge holders only.
- Payment should be made at the pay station in the hospital car park across the road from the building.
Opening Times
- Monday 08:00 - 18:00.
- Tuesday 08:00 - 18:00.
- Wednesday 08:00 - 18:00.
- Thursday 08:00 - 18:00.
- Friday 08:00 - 18:00.
- Saturday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Sunday Closed.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
-
Entrance Details
View
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- 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.
- There are bollards outside this entrance.
- The minimum width between the bollards/wall is 174cm.
- The bollard(s) does/do not have a high colour contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
- 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 an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 120cm (3ft 11in).
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 102cm (3ft 4in).
- 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 158cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
- 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.
Reception
-
Reception
View
- The reception point is located ahead as you enter.
- The reception point is approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main 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 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 low to moderate.
- The height of the reception counter is high (110cm+).
- There is not 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.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is not a bell to attract attention.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided in the reception area.
-
Reception Waiting Area
View
- 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 is armchair seating.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
- There is not a television.
- Vending machines are 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 moderate to good.
Getting Around
-
Access
View
- There is step free access throughout the building.
-
Circulation
View
- There are not doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
- The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl.
- There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- Handrails are not provided in corridors.
- Seating is provided in some corridors.
- There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
-
Signage and Wayfinding
View
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
- The wayfinding signage includes some 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.
Amenities
-
Shops and Services
View
- The shops/services available include; a coffee shop.
-
ATM Machines
View
- There is not an/are not ATM machine(s) available.
-
Pay Phones and Charging Points
View
- Pay phones are not available.
-
Public WiFi
View
- Free public WiFi is available at the hospital.
- The WCFT NHS WiFi is available for visitors and patients. Please speak to reception for details of how to access this.
-
TV Pre-Payment Machines
View
- There are no TV pre-pay machines for patients.
Eating and Drinking (Café Qualita)
-
Location and Access
View
- The following information is for the café.
- The café is located on the ground floor near reception.
- There is step-free access to the café.
-
Service and Menus
View
- Tables cannot be booked in advance.
- There is a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
- Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
- Menu types include; written wall menus.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
- Takeaway cups are available.
- Adapted cups are not available.
- Adapted cutlery is not available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- This area does not play background music.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
-
Service Counter(s)
View
- The height of the counter is 97cm.
- There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
-
Tables and Seating
View
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
- The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 71cm.
- Some tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests on both sides.
- There are also high tables and long tables.
- The type of flooring in this area is vinyl.
- There is some flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- The lighting levels are low to moderate.
Other Floors
-
Stairs
View
- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
- There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
- 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 cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located on the ground floor next to reception.
- Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 27m (29yd 1ft) from the main 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.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are 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 low.
- The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is low.
- The clear door width is 111cm (3ft 8in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 200cm x 138cm (6ft 7in x 4ft 6in).
- 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 loop system.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.
-
Comments
View
- There is a second floor, however, there are not any Mersey Care services on the second floor.
Changing Places (Right Hand Transfer)
-
Location and Access
View
- The facility is located on the first floor near the lift entrance.
- The facility is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the first floor lift entrance.
- There is level access into the facility, via lift.
- The facility surveyed is for the sole use of disabled people.
- The colour contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- You do need a key for the facility.
- The key is a radar key.
- The key can be obtained from reception.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is heavy.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
- The width of the door is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the facility are 241cm x 292cm.
- There is not a clear 200cm x 180cm manoeuvring space in the facility.
- The facility has a non-slip floor.
- The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
-
Toilet Details
View
- The facility toilet has a transfer space on one side only.
- The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 140cm (4ft 7in).
- Dropdown rails are provided.
- As you face the toilet the dropdown rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- The colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- As you face the toilet the vertical grab rail is on the right.
- The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the right of the toilet and wall is high.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is an elbow pad flush.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 107cm.
- The toilet has a lid obstructing the back rest/cistern/wall.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- There is an emergency alarm for the toilet.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
-
Changing Bench and Hoist Details
View
- The facility changing bench is wall mounted.
- The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
- The length of the facility changing bench is 159cm (5ft 3in).
- The facility hoist is powered overhead.
- The overhead hoist covers the changing bench and the toilet.
-
Shower Details
View
- There is not a shower unit with a detachable shower head.
-
Other Facilities
View
- A privacy screen is not available.
- The type of wash basin is fixed.
- The height of the wash basin is 77cm.
- The wash basin tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- Wall mounted grab rails are available at the wash basin.
- As you face the wash basin, the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- The colour contrast between the wash basin grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 110cm.
- Wide tear off paper roll is not available.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser is not at the recommended height of 80cm-100cm.
- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is a/are female sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
- There is an emergency alarm for the facility.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
- There is not a coat hook.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- The lighting levels are good.
Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
-
Location and Access
View
- This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor near the café. The surveyed toilet is the door on the right.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 27m (29yd 1ft) 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 high.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is heavy.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
-
Toilet Features
View
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 172cm x 209cm (5ft 8in x 6ft 10in).
- The accessible toilet does not 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 right.
- The lateral transfer space is 103cm (3ft 5in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side (on top of the cistern).
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a push button flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- 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 high.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord 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 nappy/incontinence items bin 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.
- The toilet has a backrest.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- 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 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- 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 high.
- 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 110cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 134cm (4ft 5in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is high.
- There is not a hand dryer.
-
Baby Changing Facilities
View
- Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
- There is a flip down baby change table available.
- The height of the baby change table is 86cm.
Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
-
Location and Access
View
- This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor near the café. The surveyed toilet is in the left door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 27m (29yd 1ft) 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 high.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is heavy.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
-
Toilet Features
View
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 206cm (5ft 7in x 6ft 9in).
- The accessible toilet does not 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 103cm (3ft 5in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side (on top of the cistern).
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a push button flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- 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 high.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord 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 general waste (with lid) and clinical waste 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 high.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 105cm (3ft 5in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- 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 high.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 108cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 130cm (4ft 3in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is high.
- There is not a hand dryer.
-
Comments
View
- This toilet is also used as a standard toilet.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
-
Toilet Facilities
View
- The shared toilet is located on the first floor, to the right as you exit the lift.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 10m from the first floor lift entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
- There is a/are horizontal wall mounted rail(s) on the left as you face the toilet.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 78cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
- Lighting levels are good.
Location of Toilet / Changing Facilities
- Changing Places facilities are located on the first floor near the lift entrance.
- Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, near the café entrance.
- Shared standard toilet facilities are located on the first floor near the lift entrance.