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St Catherine's Ward

Royal Surrey County hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XX

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • By Road View
    • Royal Surrey County Hospital is situated just off the A3. Take the exit signed to the Cathedral and the University. The hospital is clearly signposted from all directions of travel.
    • Parking on the hospital site can be busy so it is worth leaving some extra time to ensure that you are not late for your appointment. There is a free 20 minute pick up and drop off point at the front of the hospital and Blue Badge bays are available next to all entrances. Visitors and patients now have three payment options: Option 1 –Check in/Check out (pay by card) Option 2 – Pay and Display (pay by cash or card) Option 3 – Pay by Mobile App (using the ‘Waytopark’ app) For Option 1 and Option 2, please visit the Pay Machine and select either ‘Check in/Check out’ or ‘Pay and Display’ and then follow the instructions on screen. The Check in/Check out option means that you pay on exit which can be an advantage if you are not entirely sure how long you will need to park. Please note that there are car parking signs providing full instructions if required.
  • By Bus View
    • There is a service provided by Safeguard Buses that goes to the hospital from the Town Centre via the train station departing every seven or eight minutes. You will need to catch Route Five to the hospital and Route Four back into Guildford Town Centre. The buses run at different frequencies at weekends and on public bank holidays. Also available: Arriva No.16/26 (via Fairlands/Woodstreet Circular) Arriva No. 17/27 (via Rydes Hill/Grange Park) A return to Guildford picks up directly outside the Main Hospital Entrance (Bus stop HT1).
  • By Train View
    • The nearest station is Guildford. The station is on the main line between London Waterloo and Portsmouth, with Reading and Dorking connections. A fast, frequent service is available with trains running approximately every 20 minutes. For further information contact the 24 hour Passenger Information line on 08457 48 49 50. From the train station it is possible to travel to the hospital either by bus or taxi.
  • Useful Links View

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 the main foyer.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 01483 402 757.
  • 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 in the Main Hospital foyer.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, Makaton on request and different languages on request.
  • There is an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • The assistance dog toilet or toileting area is located at the front of the hospital.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are 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.
  • There is a Changing Places facility at this hospital which is located on level B.
  • The wheelchairs are located at the Main Hospital Entrance.

Hospital Parking (Main Car Park)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located opposite the main entrance.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • 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 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 247cm x 480cm (8ft 1in x 15ft 9in).
    • There is 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 a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located in front of the main hospital entrance.
    • There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
  • 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 payment machines in the car park, throughout 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 and throughout the car park.
    • There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
  • 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 slopes/ramps.
    • The hospital entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the hospital entrance is clearly signposted.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 40m (43yd 2ft) from the Main Hospital entrance.
  • Comments View
    • There is a long, steep ramp from the car park to the hospital main entrance.
    • The first half of the ramp has a handrail on the left as you go down and the second half has the handrail on the right.

Getting To (St Catherine's Ward)

  • St Catherine's Ward is/are located on level G of the West Wing.
  • Access to St Catherine's Ward is via the Main Hospital Entrance.
  • Enter via the Main Hospital Entrance and proceed straight ahead. Continue past reception located on the right end of the foyer. Bear left and proceed down the corridor past the Outpatients reception. Turn right after Outpatients 4 and continue ahead. Take the lifts located on the right of the corridor to level G. Exit the lift foyer, turn right and continue to the end of the corridor. St Catherine's Ward is located on the left.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to St Catherine's Ward.
  • St Catherine's Ward is approximately 28m from the West Wing lifts.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the Main Hospital Entrance and the department/service.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • There is flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.

Outside Access (Main Hospital Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is a drop-off point at this entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do 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 138cm (4ft 6in).
    • 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 101cm.
    • 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 187cm.

Other Floors (West Wing Stairs)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are A, B, F and G.
    • 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 good.

Lift (West Wing Lifts)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located off the west wing corridor leading to Guilford Diagnostic Imaging.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 74m (80yd 2ft) from the West Wing 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 A, B, F and G.
  • 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 medium.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is medium.
  • The clear door width is 130cm (4ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 151cm x 266cm (4ft 11in x 8ft 9in).
  • 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 within 90cm - 120cm 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 good.

Ward

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an Maternity ward.
    • This is a female ward.
    • There is/are 4 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 1 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 22 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 170cm (5ft 7in).
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • There is 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.
    • 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 medium.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the ward reception desk is 114cm.
    • There is a lowered section.
    • The height of the lowered section of the desk is 76cm.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • Example Side Room View
    • There are no side rooms available with an accessible ensuite.
    • The width of the door opening into the side room is over 75cm.
    • The side room surveyed does not have a ceiling track hoist.
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
    • Bedside storage is available.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is high.
    • The lighting levels in the side room are medium.
    • The width of the door opening into the ensuite is over 75cm.
    • There is not a clear unobstructed turning space within the ensuite.
    • The fixtures/facilities available in the ensuite include; a toilet and a wash basin.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the ensuite is high.
    • The lighting levels in the ensuite are medium.
  • 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 not 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 on level B of the West Wing.
    • There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located on level B of the West Wing.
  • Visiting Times View
    • There are set visiting times for the ward.
    • Visiting times are 10:00 to 12:00 and 15:00 to 20:00.
    • Protected meal times are between 12:00 to 13:00.
  • Comments View
    • There are access controlled doors on this ward.

Washroom (Shower Room)

  • Washroom Details View
    • The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower and a wash basin.
    • There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
    • This washroom is female.
    • There is pictorial and written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
    • The washroom door(s) open(s) 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 75cm (2ft 6in).
    • The dimensions of the washroom are 191cm x 169cm (6ft 3in x 5ft 7in).
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is within reach and fully functional.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s) 160cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The height of the wash basin is 86cm.
    • There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the wash basin.
    • The tap type is lever. It is a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 97cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 120cm.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • The washroom has a non-slip floor.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The shower control type is twist/turn.
    • A shower chair is available.
    • There are wall-mounted grab rails available.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
    • The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is high.
    • The colour contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is high.
    • The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is medium.
    • Lighting levels are medium.

Room / Area (Patient Lounge)

  • There is level access to the room / area.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the room / area.
  • The 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 (2ft 10in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is not a bed / couch.
  • A hoist can be brought in from another department.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
  • There are some chairs with armrests available.
  • The room / area does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room / area.
  • Lighting levels are medium.

Standard Toilet(s)

Standard Toilet(s) (Ensuite Toilet)

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