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Gissing High Dependency 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.

Hospital Parking (Car Park K - Ward Parking)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders and staff only.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the hospital.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does have a barrier control system.
    • There is a touchscreen at the barrier.
    • The barrier controls/touchscreen can be reached from the car.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
    • There is/are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 290cm x 480cm (9ft 6in x 15ft 9in).
    • There is not 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 at the entrance to the car park and at the payment machines in the hospital building.
    • 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.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
  • 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 85m (92yd 2ft) from the Inpatients East and Centre Block Entrance.
  • Comments View
    • Car parking payment machines are located at the Outpatients West and East entrances, East and West Block entrances and atriums and the Ambulatory Majors entrance.

Hospital Parking (Car Park M - Ward Parking)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the hospital.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does have a barrier control system.
    • There is a touchscreen at the barrier.
    • The barrier controls/touchscreen can be reached from the car.
    • The car park surface is tarmac and block paving.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
    • There is/are 8 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 320cm x 485cm (10ft 6in x 15ft 11in).
    • There is not 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 at the entrance to the car park and at the payment machines in the hospital building.
    • 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.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
  • 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.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 85m (92yd 2ft) from the Inpatients West and Centre Block Entrance.
  • Comments View
    • Car parking payment machines are located at the Outpatients West and East entrances, East and West Block entrances and atriums and the Ambulatory Majors entrance.

Hospital Parking (Car Park O - Ward Parking)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the hospital.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does have a barrier control system.
    • There is a touchscreen at the barrier.
    • The barrier controls/touchscreen can be reached from the car.
    • 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 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 366cm x 480cm (12ft x 15ft 9in).
    • There is not 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
    • There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located at the entrance to the car park and at the payment machines in the hospital building.
    • 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.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
  • 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 85m (92yd 2ft) from the Inpatients West and Centre Block Entrance.
  • Comments View
    • Car parking payment machines are located at the Outpatients West and East entrances, East and West Block entrances and atriums and the Ambulatory Majors entrance.

Getting To (Gissing High Dependency Unit)

  • Gissing High Dependency Unit is/are located on Level 3 of the Centre Block.
  • Access to Gissing High Dependency Unit is via the Inpatients East and Centre Block Entrance.
  • Enter via Inpatients East and Centre Block Entrance and turn left. Go straight ahead into the Centre Block. Take the lifts located on the right to Level 3. Exit the lift and turn left. Go straight ahead and take the first right. Go through the doors at the end of the corridor. Gissing High Dependency Unit is located on the left.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Gissing High Dependency Unit .
  • Gissing High Dependency Unit is approximately 49m from the Centre Block lift.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the Inpatients Centre and East entrance and the department/service.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • There is some 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 (Centre Block)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, 2, 3, 4.
    • 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 provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are varied.

Lift (Centre Block)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located off the main corridor.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 40m (43yd 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.
  • There are manual, heavy, double doors to access the lift lobby on all floors.
  • 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 good.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 130cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 176cm x 268cm.
  • 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 a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Ward

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an High dependency unit ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 2 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 0 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 8 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) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 181cm (5ft 11in).
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 131cm (4ft 4in).
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 131cm (4ft 4in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 124cm (4ft 1in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 134cm (4ft 5in).
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • There is clear signage on the ward.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is some flooring on the ward which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 90cm.
    • There is not a lowered section.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • A hearing assistance system is not available on the ward.
    • 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 no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located in East and West Outpatients.
    • There are standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located Before the entrance of the ward.
  • Visiting Times View
    • Visiting times vary, please contact the ward in advance.
    • Visiting times are 14.00-20.00.
    • The visiting times are the same for each day.

Washroom

  • Washroom Details View
    • The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
    • There is/are 2 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
    • There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
    • This washroom is interchangeable between male and female.
    • There is pictorial and written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
    • The washroom door(s) open(s) inwards and outwards.
    • The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • The dimensions of the washroom are 250cm x 248cm (8ft 2in x 8ft 2in).
    • The washroom does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is tied up and out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin is 78cm.
    • As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • The tap type is lever. It is not a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 91cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 98cm.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • The washroom has a non-slip floor.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a rail with a padded back rest.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 100cm.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the right.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 94cm.
    • There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The shower control type is lever.
    • There is a flip-down/tip-up seat for the shower.
    • The height of the flip-down/tip-up or fixed seat is 60cm (1ft 12in).
    • There are wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the right of the toilet and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is good.
    • Lighting levels are bright.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located in front of the ward entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 6m from the ward entrance.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
    • There is a/are horizontal wall mounted rail(s) on the right as you face the toilet.
    • There is a/are vertical wall mounted rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 80cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.

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