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Quality Improvement Innovation Centre (QIIC)

Ards Community Hospital, Church Street, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4AS

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Quality Improvement Innovation Centre (QIIC))

Hospital Parking (Lough House Car Park)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the hospital grounds.
    • 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 push button control 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 and signposted.
    • There is/are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 230cm x 454cm (7ft 7in x 14ft 11in).
    • There is 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.
    • Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Payment machines are located at the side of the car park.
    • 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).
    • 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 dropped kerbs.
    • 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 55m (60yd 5in) from the Lough House entrance.

Opening Times (QIIC)

  • Monday 08:30 - 16:00.
  • Tuesday 08:30 - 16:00.
  • Wednesday 08:30 - 16:00.
  • Thursday 08:30 - 16:00.
  • Friday 08:30 - 16:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Outside Access (QIIC Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the Quality Improvement Innovation Centre (QIIC).
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 128cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 128cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step Details View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 2 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Getting Around (QIIC)

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the majority of the building.
  • Circulation View
    • There are not doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl.
    • Handrails are not provided in corridors.
    • Seating is provided in some corridors.
    • There is high visual contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Signage and Wayfinding View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is not consistent throughout the building.
    • The wayfinding signage does not include pictograms.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in public areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.

Reception (QIIC)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located straight ahead as you enter the QIIC entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the QIIC entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are no windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are moderate to good.
    • The height of the reception counter is high (110cm+).
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a bell to attract attention.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided in the reception area.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There is armchair seating.
    • No tables are permanently fixed.
    • The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
    • There is not a television.
    • Vending machines are not available.
    • A water dispenser is available.
    • There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
    • Lighting levels are good.

Conference / Meeting Facilities (Main Hall)

  • Conference/meeting facilities are available.
  • The conference/meeting facilities are located to the right as you enter the building.
  • There is step-free access to the conference/meeting facilities.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the room(s).
  • The lighting levels in the room(s) are moderate to good.

Conference / Meeting Facilities (Analyse)

  • Conference/meeting facilities are available.
  • The conference/meeting facilities are located along the right hand side of the reception hall as you enter.
  • There is step-free access to the conference/meeting facilities.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • There is a/are chair(s) with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the room(s).
  • The lighting levels in the room(s) are moderate to good.
  • There is also a double door which opens into the reception hall.
    The doors have a width of 160cm.

Conference / Meeting Facilities (Engage / Discover / Involve)

  • Conference/meeting facilities are available.
  • The conference/meeting facilities are located to the right of the reception hall as you enter the building.
  • There is step-free access to the conference/meeting facilities.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • There is a/are chair(s) with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the room(s).
  • The lighting levels in the room(s) are adjustable.
  • There are 3 meeting rooms which are all similar.
    They are each set up in a boardroom style with space to manoeuvre around the outside of the table.
    All chairs have armrests.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right of the reception desk, in the rear of the building.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 20m from the QIIC entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 101cm (3ft 4in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 200cm x 240cm (6ft 7in x 7ft 10in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 133cm.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is medium.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are general waste (with lid) disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 136cm from the floor.
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 49cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 88cm (2ft 11in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 73cm (2ft 5in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 106cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 91cm (2ft 12in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is medium.
    • There is not a hand dryer.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located to the right of the reception desk, in the rear of the building.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 25m from the QIIC entrance.
    • There is pictorial 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 medium.
    • Toilet seats do not have a high visual contrast.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 85cm.
    • The height of the lowered wash basin is 73cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The wall fixed soap dispenser is located on the wall, above and between the wash basins.
    • Lighting levels are good.