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Critical Care Complex - High Dependency Unit & Intensive Therapy Unit

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital , Colney Lane, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UY

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • By Road View
    • The Hospital is located off the Norwich Southern Bypass A47 on the South West side of Norwich City Centre. Leave the A47 to join the B1108 Watton Road. Follow this road until the junction and take a right onto Colney Lane. Continue on this road and the Hospital site is located straight ahead.
    • There are multiple car parks around the site. The car parking is free for Blue Badge holders, but the ticket must be validated at the Outpatients reception.
      Please note: as of September 2023 there is currently limited parking available in the hospital’s patient and visitor car parks, with most spaces filling up by mid-morning. Alternative parking is available at the multi-storey car park opposite the hospital (access is via Rosalind Franklin Road or Hethersett Lane). Parking costs are the same as the hospital however, please note that no concessions are available.
  • By Bus View
    • The bus services are run by First Group and Konect Bus.
      From Bus Stand A the services are run by First Group and include 3, 4, 9A, 11, 1, 13A, 21, 21A, 22, 22A, 26 and 26A.
      From Bus Stand B the buses are run by Konect Bus and First Bus. The services include 3, 4, 9, 512 Norwich Airport Park & Ride bus and the Costessey 510 Park and Ride bus.
      Details of the 512 bus service can be found here: click here
      The Costessey Park & Ride 510 service is available for £1 return. This is a First Bus which is available for all patients and visitors who are charged £1 upon boarding the bus. Details of the route and timetable can be found here: click here.
    • There is an onsite bus stop.
    • There are two bus stops on site which are located in front of the Centre Block of the Hospital.
    • The bus stops have shelters which have seating/rest bar in them. There is space for wheelchairs to manoeuvre.
    • There is a level block paved and tarmac pathway around the front of the hospital which links East, West Outpatient and Centre Blocks of the hospital.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest train station is Norwich. The services which operate from here are Abellio Greater Anglia and East Midland Trains. The station is approximately a 20 minute taxi ride from the Hospital.
  • Useful Links View
  • Comments View
    • To view a map of the hospital, please click on this link and download the map.
    • http://www.nnuh.nhs.uk/publication/nnuh-map.

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 West Outpatients next to the Outpatients reception.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 01603 289036/01603 289045.
  • 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 entrances of the Hospital and throughout the buildings.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, Makaton on request, different languages on request, voice recognition CD on request and audio on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are not available.
  • 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, walking frames and crutches.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact Inpatient receptions.
  • There is a Changing Places facility at this hospital which is located in East Outpatients Physiotherapy.
  • Comments View
    • INTRAN is available and staff have access to INTRAN App on i-pads for use with patients where appropriate.

Getting To (Critical Care Complex - High Dependency Unit & Intensive Therapy Unit)

  • The Critical Care Complex - High Dependency Unit & Intensive Therapy Unit is/are located on the third floor of East Block.
  • Access to the Critical Care Complex - High Dependency Unit & Intensive Therapy Unit is via the Inpatients East and Centre Block Entrance.
  • Enter via Inpatients East and Centre Block Entrance, head forward and take the lifts on the right to the third floor. Exit the lift, turn left and left again so that you're facing the East Block. Continue ahead going through two sets of double doors. Turn left and go through another set of double doors. Continue down this corridor and the Critical Care Complex - High Dependency Unit & Intensive Therapy Unit is located on the left.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to the Critical Care Complex - High Dependency Unit & Intensive Therapy Unit.
  • The Critical Care Complex - High Dependency Unit & Intensive Therapy Unit is approximately 43m from the East Atrium lifts.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the East Atrium lifts and the department/service.
  • Wayfinding signage is 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.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.

Outside Access (Inpatients East and Centre Block Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the Hospital.
    • 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.
    • There are bollards outside this entrance.
    • The minimum width between the bollards/wall is 121cm.
    • The bollard(s) does/do not have a good 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 not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 125cm (4ft 1in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 190cm.
    • 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 188cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located directly in front of the Inpatients East and Centre Block Entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
  • Comments View
    • This entrance is locked between 23:00 and 06:00 each day.
    • There is a car park ticket payment machine next to this entrance.

Other Floors (East Atrium Stairs)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1,2.
    • 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 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 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 (East Atrium Lifts)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located just inside the Inpatients East and Centre Block Entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Inpatients East and Centre Block 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 1,2,3,4.
  • 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 not within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The controls are set at 113cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is poor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 110cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 162cm x 142cm.
  • 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 not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The controls are set at 110cm to 125cm 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 low.

Entrance (Critical Care Complex)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the third floor of East Block.
    • The entrance area/door is 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 124cm (4ft 1in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.

Waiting Room / Area

  • There is a waiting room / area.
  • The waiting room / area is approximately 6m from the Critical Care Complex entrance.
  • There is level access into the waiting room / area.
  • There is not a/are not door(s) into the waiting room / area.
  • The type of flooring is carpet.
  • There is a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs with armrests are available.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • Announcements are in person.
  • The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
  • There is not a television.
  • Vending machines are available.
  • A water dispenser is available.
  • There is 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 bright.

Ward

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an Critical Care ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 2 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 4 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 20 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 single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 137cm (4ft 6in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 130cm (4ft 3in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 135cm (4ft 5in).
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • There is no clear signage on the ward.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 102cm.
    • There is not a lowered section.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • The ward does not play background music.
    • There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
    • A mobile hoist is available on the ward.
  • Visitor Facilities View
    • There are accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located along the first floor corridor of the Centre Block.
  • Visiting Times View
    • There are set visiting times for the ward.
    • Visiting times are 14:00 to 20:00.
    • The visiting times are the same for each day.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located to the right on entering the ward entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 1m (3ft 3in) from the ward 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 no 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 good.
    • The height of the reception counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm) .
    • There is 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 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.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right on entering the Waiting Room.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 1m (3ft 3in) from the Waiting Room 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 written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is light.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 84cm.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 210cm x 197cm.
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 135cm from floor level.
    • The lighting levels are low to moderate.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 110cm.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a lever flush.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is not a/are not wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • 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 female sanitary and pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 158cm from the floor.
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not 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 44cm (1ft 5in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • 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 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is fair.
    • 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 77cm (2ft 6in).
    • 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 104cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is fair.
    • There is not a hand dryer.

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