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Direct Assessment Unit

Causeway Hospital, 4 Newbridge Road, Coleraine, BT52 1HS

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Direct Assessment Unit)

  • The most accessible route from the main patient and visitor car park Blue Badge bays has a very easy slope, a dropped kerb with tactile paving and a pedestrian crossing.
  • View further information about parking at the hospital (opens new tab).
  • Access to the Direct Assessment Unit is via the main hospital entrance.
  • There is a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • View further information about entrances (opens new tab).
  • The Direct Assessment Unit is located on the first floor.
  • The Direct Assessment Unit is approximately 123m from the main lifts - 3 and 4.
  • Enter the hospital via the main hospital entrance.
  • Turn right just before the staircase ahead, then take the lift on the left to the first floor.
  • On exiting the lift turn right and follow the corridor almost to the end.
  • Turn left and continue to the end of this corridor.
  • Go through the Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Direct Assessment Unit entrance and turn left.
  • The Direct Assessment Unit entrance is located on the right.
  • Internally the most accessible route has step-free level access, a lift, doors permanently held open and automatic doors.
  • Some flooring along the route is shiny.
  • There are resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The following toilet facilities are available along the route; standard toilets and a toilet with adaptations (with transfer on both sides).
  • View information about accessible toilet facilities in public areas (opens new tab).
  • View more information on getting to and around the hospital (opens new tab).

Parking (Main Patient and Visitor Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in 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 signposted and have markings which are faded.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 240cm (width) x 497cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 146cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 20m 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.
    • Some of the dropped kerbs from the Blue Badge bays do not have tactile paving.
      There are 2 parent and child parking bays available.
      Patients and visitors can park in any car park located around the hospital site.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, 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 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).
    • There are barriers upon entry and exit to the hospital site.
      Patients and visitors must take a ticket from the barrier on arrival.
      The height of the ticket button is 117cm.
      The payment machines are currently cash only.
      The height of the payment machine controls is between 112cm-136cm.
      The ticket is needed for the exit barrier.

Entrance (Main Hospital Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the main hospital building.
  • 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 slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 175cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 145cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a third set of entrance doors which are double, automatic and open away from you.
    The width of the third set of doors is 186cm and the colour contrast is low.
    There is a fourth set of entrance doors which are double, automatic and open by sliding.
    The width of the doors are 193cm and the colour contrast is low.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift (Main Lifts - 3 and 4)

  • The lift surveyed is located at the start of the right wing corridor.
  • The distance from the main hospital entrance is 23m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground floor and first floor 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 low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 107cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 170cm (width) x 161cm (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 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.

Entrance (Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Direct Assessment Unit Entrance)

  • This entrance is located along the first floor corridor.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 126cm.
  • There is a buzzer at a height of 126cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 169cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 125cm.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 173cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 96cm.

Department / Service (Direct Assessment Unit)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Direct Assessment Department is located on the first floor within the Acute Elderly Medicine 2 ward.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 131cm.
    • There is a single automatic door with a high visual contrast.
    • The door has a locked extension leaf.
    • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
    • The door opens away from you.
    • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 98cm.
    • The width of the opening is 95cm.
    • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 100cm.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • There are 2 consultation/medical rooms available.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: a washroom.

Seating Area (Direct Assessment Unit Waiting Area)

  • Location and Access View
    • The seating area is located as you enter the Direct Assessment Unit.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • Seating available in this area includes: armchairs.
    • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Consultation / Medical Room (Investigation and Treatment Room)

  • There is 1 consultation/medical room available.
  • The room surveyed was; Investigation and Treatment Room.
  • The room is located on the left as you enter the Direct Assessment Unit.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
  • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The door opens outwards.
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The width of the opening is 78cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • Furniture can be moved to enable a manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • The treatment table is free standing and height adjustable.
  • The length of the treatment table is 170cm.
  • Seating available in the room includes: armchairs.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: height adjustable tables.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Consultation / Medical Room (Main Treatment Area)

  • There is 1 consultation/medical room available.
  • The room surveyed was; Main Treatment Area.
  • The room is located on the right after entering the Direct Assessment Unit.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is no signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 86cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • The treatment table is free standing and height adjustable.
  • The length of the treatment table is 185cm.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: height adjustable tables and desks.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Bathroom with Adaptations (Shower and Toilet)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located off the main treatment area.
    • The distance from the Direct Assessment Unit entrance is 15m.
    • The most accessible route to the bathroom has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into the bathroom.
    • There is pictorial, written text and dementia friendly signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 291cm (width) x 148cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 133cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 43cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is located on the dropdown rail.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 85cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 123cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 131cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The bathroom has a pedal bin and a clinical waste bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 150cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • The bathroom has a wheel-in shower.
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is a shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails for the shower.
    • The shower grab rails have a high visual contrast.