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Neonatal Unit

Antrim Area Hospital, Bush Road, Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT41 2RL

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Access Guide

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Overview (Antrim Area Hospital)

  • About View
    • This is an acute hospital with multiple services available.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: a pharmacy, a chapel, a hospital shop, a cash office, Ground Floor Coffee Bar and Loughview Restaurant.
    • View information on opening times
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the most accessible entrance.
    • There are 2 main entrances at Antrim Area Hospital which are located at the front of the main hospital building.
      One entrance has an automatic door and one has a revolving door.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: there is a slight ramp to access the Pre-Admission Unit and Ward C7 on Level C of the main hospital building.
    • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
    • Levels A, B and C can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
    • British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: Braille (on request), large print (on request) and different languages (on request).
    • There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: an ATM machine, phone charging points and Wi-Fi.
    • Staff receive the following training: manual handling training.

Parking (Main Entrance - Blue Badge Holders and Drop Off Only)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of the main hospital entrance.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of block paving.
    • There are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 424cm (width) x 490cm (depth).
    • The hatched/marked zones vary between bays.
    • The width of the marked zone is 122cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 7m from the main hospital entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has slight ramps or slopes and uneven surfaces.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located close to the Blue Badge parking bays and inside the main building.
    • There is not a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located at the entrance to the car park, on the left.
    • There is a 15 minute maximum wait time at this drop off point.

Parking (Car Park 1 - Main Patient and Visitor Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the front of the main hospital building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 15+ designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 25m from the main hospital entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has slight ramps or slopes.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located outside the main hospital entrance and inside the hospital building.
    • There is not a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Getting To (Neonatal Unit)

  • The Neonatal Unit is/are located on level C of the hospital.
  • Access to the Neonatal Unit is via the Main Entrance.
  • Enter via the Main Entrance and take the lifts on the right to level C. Exit the lifts, turn right down the main hospital corridor and continue ahead until you see an entrance on your right signed Delivery Suite and Neonatal Unit. You have to buzz into the Neonatal Unit and they will let you through the door.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to the Neonatal Unit.
  • The Neonatal Unit is approximately 65m from the Main Entrance lifts.
  • There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the Main Entrance lifts 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.

Entrance (Main Hospital Entrance - Automatic Door)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the main hospital building, to the right of the revolving doors.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 100cm.
  • The width of the opening is 119cm.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 104cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • This entrance gives access to Level B of the main hospital building.

Lift (Main Lifts - 1 and 2)

  • The lift surveyed is located immediately to the right as you enter via the main hospital entrance.
  • The distance from the main hospital entrance is 4m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Level A, B and C are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 130cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 148cm (width) x 290cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Stairs (Main Lifts - 1 and 2)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right as you enter via the main hospital entrance, beyond the Main Lifts (1 and 2).
  • There are double automatic doors to access the stairwell.
  • Level A, B and C can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have low visual contrast markings and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • The height of the push pad to operate the automatic doors is 95cm.

Entrance (Delivery Suite and Neonatal Unit)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on level C of the hospital.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 146cm .
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 146cm .
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 134cm (4ft 5in).
    • The main 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 164cm.

Ward (Neonatal Unit)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an Neonatal ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 3 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 3 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 15 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 168cm (5ft 6in).
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 123cm (4ft).
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 123cm (4ft).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 130cm (4ft 3in).
    • 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 is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are adjustable.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the ward reception desk is 110cm.
    • There is a lowered section.
    • The height of the lowered section of the desk is 75cm.
    • 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 not available on the ward.
    • There are not washroom facilities for patients on the ward.
  • Visitor Facilities View
    • There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located on level C outside the restaurant.
    • There are standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
  • Comments View
    • Visiting is currently by appointment for parents only.
    • This ward is classed as an Amber Area and face masks are required at all times.
    • There are additional hand sanitiser's available throughout the ward.
    • There are additional hand washing protocols in place as you enter the Neonatal Ward.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Infant Feeding)

  • There is / are 1 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; Infant Feeding.
  • There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
  • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 77cm (2ft 6in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is not a bed / couch.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not adjustable.
  • All chairs have armrests available.
  • Some tables are permanently fixed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • There is a sink and work surface in the room set at 85cm from the floor.

Family Room (Family Room)

  • The family room is located in the corridor outside the Neonatal Unit.
  • There is step-free access to the family room.
  • The family room is clearly signed.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) has a closer and maybe difficult for some to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 76cm.
  • The type of flooring in the place of worship/room is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the family room.
  • There is a mixture of chairs with and without armrests.
  • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the seating area.
  • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • There is a refreshment counter.
  • The height of the counter is 90cm.
  • The counter does not have a clear knee recess.
  • There is not a sink.
  • There is not a television.
  • Vending machines are not available.
  • There is not a water dispenser available.
  • There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • Background music is not played in the room.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • The lighting levels in the room are low to moderate.

Standard Toilet(s) (Neonatal Parent Toilet)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located outside in the corridor.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 5m from the Delivery suite and Neonatal Unit entrance.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • The colour contrast between the internal toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • Toilet seats do not have a high visual contrast.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 76cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The wall fixed soap dispenser is located above and to the right of the wash basin.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.

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