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Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Unit

Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, Grove Lane, Smethwick, Birmingham, B66 2QT

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Unit)

  • This route starts at the QPark Car Park.
  • The most accessible route from here has step-free level access.
  • This route also has bollards.
  • View further information about parking at the hospital (opens new tab).
  • Access to this department is via the QPark Car Park Yellow Zone Main Entrance.
  • There is not a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • View further information about entrances (opens new tab).
  • This department is located along the corridor to the left as you exit the Core C lifts on level 3.
  • The department is approximately 20m from the Core C lifts.
  • Enter the hospital via the QPark Car Park Yellow Zone Main Entrance and proceed to the Welcome Centre lifts ahead.
  • Take a lift to level 5.
  • Exit the lift and proceed along the walkway to the right, following the yellow wayfinding line.
  • Continue across the level 5 foyer, to the Core C lifts located on the right.
  • Take a lift to level 3.
  • Exit the lift foyer, turn left, continue along this corridor ahead, then turn left.
  • Proceed to the end of the corridor and the entrance to the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Unit is located on the right.
  • This route to the department has a lift.
  • There are manual doors along this route.
  • Some flooring is shiny along this route.
  • There are resting areas along this route to the department.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Dementia-friendly signage is not provided.
  • The following toilet facilities are available along the route: a changing places facility, accessible toilet (with left hand transfer), toilets for ambulant disabled users and standard toilets.
  • View information about accessible toilet facilities in public areas (opens new tab).
  • View information on getting to and around the hospital (opens new tab).

Parking (QPark Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on the left side of the front of the building, along Grove Lane.
    • The car park is sheltered.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • The height of the restriction barrier is 210cm.
    • There are 60 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 241cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 129cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 7m from the QPark Car Park Yellow Zone Main Entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
    • This route has bollards.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders but not all users.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are no electric vehicle charging points designated for Blue Badge holders.
    • There are 6 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 260cm (width) x 450cm (depth).
    • The nozzle holster is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • You do not need an online account to use the charging point.
    • Payment can be made with a credit/debit card (contactless).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (QPark Car Park Yellow Zone Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located within the Yellow Zone of the QPark Car Park, in the centre of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 120cm.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 150cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 125cm.
  • This entrance brings you into level 0 of the hospital.

Lift (Welcome Centre Lifts)

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead as you enter the hospital via the main entrance's, in the centre of the hospital building.
  • The distance from the QPark Car Park Yellow Zone Main Entrance is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • Level 0, level 2, level 3, level 4 and level 5 can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 1275kg.
    • The control buttons have a varying colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 110cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 196cm (width) x 137cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile and Braille markings.
    • The control buttons have a medium colour contrast.
    • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator and an intercom hearing assistance system.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Lift (Core C Lifts)

  • The lift surveyed is located on level 5 and in the front left corner of the hospital building.
  • The distance from the Welcome Centre lifts is 40m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There is a manual door along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • Level 2, level 3, level 4, level 5, level 6, level 7, level 8 and level 9 can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 1275kg.
    • The control buttons have a low colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 110cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 196cm (width) x 137cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile and Braille markings.
    • The control buttons have a medium colour contrast.
    • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a list of floor services/facilities, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and an intercom hearing assistance system.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.
    • There is a very easy slope in front of the lifts.
    • These lifts can only be accessed on level 5 by using the Welcome Centre lifts.

Department Service (Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Unit)

  • Location and Access View
    • Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Unit is located along the corridor to the left as you exit the Core C lifts on level 3.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There is an intercom at a height of 105cm.
    • There are double manual doors.
    • The doors open towards you.
    • The doors require effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 172cm.
    • The doors have a high colour contrast.
    • There is an exit button at 110cm high.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • There are no doors along circulation routes.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along circulation routes.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and sofas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Unit)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • Toilets with adaptations are not available.
    • Shared step-free standard toilet facilities are located at the end of the unit corridor, on the left.

Reception (Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Unit Reception)

  • Location View
    • The reception is located along the unit corridor, on the left.
    • The distance from the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Unit entrance is 8m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 94cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has windows which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and sofas.

Consultation / Medical Room (Treatment Bay 1-6)

  • There is 1 consultation/medical room available.
  • The room surveyed was Treatment Bay 1-6.
  • The room is located ahead and to the right as you enter the unit.
  • The distance from the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Unit entrance is 4m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • There is a locked extension leaf.
  • The width of the opening is 88cm.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • The treatment table is free standing and height adjustable.
  • The length of the treatment table is 205cm.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs with armrests.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: tables.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Consultation / Medical Room (Room 7)

  • There are 4 consultation/medical rooms available.
  • The room surveyed was Room 7.
  • The room is located along the unit corridor, on the right.
  • The distance from the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Unit entrance is 8m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is numbered signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • There is a locked extension leaf.
  • The width of the opening is 87cm.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • The treatment table is free standing and height adjustable.
  • The length of the treatment table is 215cm.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: desks.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Consultation / Medical Room (Room 10)

  • There are 4 consultation/medical rooms available.
  • The room surveyed was Room 10.
  • The room is located at the end of the unit corridor, on the right.
  • The distance from the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Unit entrance is 15m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is numbered signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • There is a locked extension leaf.
  • The width of the opening is 87cm.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • The treatment table is free standing and height adjustable.
  • The length of the treatment table is 214cm.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: tables and desks.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Standard Toilet Facilities (Patient Toilet)

  • The shared standard toilet facilities were surveyed.
  • The toilet is located at the end of the unit corridor, on the left.
  • The distance from the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Unit entrance is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is step-free level access into the toilet.
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens inwards and has a high colour contrast.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 65cm.
  • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
  • Hand washing facilities include: a wash basin and a wall mounted soap dispenser.
  • The wash basin has a push tap.
  • Hand drying facilities are a wall mounted towel dispenser.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.