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Emergency Department

Ulster Hospital, Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald, Belfast, BT16 1RH

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Emergency Department)

Hospital Parking (Public Car Park J)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located at the rear left side 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 6 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 475cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 7in).
    • 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 not 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 not clearly signposted.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 150m (164yd 2in) from the Emergency Department entrance.

Outside Access (Emergency Department Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the rear left side of the hospital grounds.
    • 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.
    • There are bollards outside this entrance.
    • The minimum width between the bollards/wall is 136cm.
    • The bollard(s) has/have a high visual contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
    • 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 82cm (2ft 8in).
    • 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 168cm.
    • 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 178cm.

Department / Service (Emergency Department)

  • Department / Service Access View
    • The Emergency Department is located on the ground floor of the Acute Services Block.
    • There is level access throughout the department/service.
    • There is clear signage on the department/service.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is some flooring in the department/service which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The department/service does not play background music.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Department / Service Facilities View
    • This department/service has; a main reception, a waiting room/area, consultation rooms, accessible toilet facilities for everyone and standard toilet facilities.
    • There are 2 consultation/treatment rooms in this department/service.
    • A hearing assistance system is available.
    • The type of system is a fixed loop.
    • Staff are trained to use the system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested on 11/11/2024.
    • The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
    • A mobile hoist is available from another department/service.
    • There are accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
    • There are standard toilet facilities within this department/service.

Opening Times (Emergency Department)

  • The venue is open 24hrs.

Reception (Emergency Department)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located directly ahead as you enter via the Emergency Department.
    • The reception point is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Emergency Department 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 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 a hearing assistance system.
    • The type of system is a fixed loop.
    • The hearing assistance system is signed.
    • Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested on 11/11/2024.
    • The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
    • 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 are seats with armrests on both sides.
    • All 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 a television.
    • Vending machines are not available.
    • A water dispenser is available.
    • There is 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 moderate to good.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Triage Room 1)

  • There is / are 2 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; 1.
  • 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) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
  • 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.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs are height adjustable.
  • There are some chairs with armrests available.
  • All tables are permanently fixed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • Lighting levels are low to moderate.

Parent and Baby Room (Baby Change)

  • There is a parent and baby room for public use.
  • The parent and baby room is located to the far left as you enter the Emergency Department.
  • The parent and baby room is approximately 15m from the Emergency Department entrance.
  • There is step-free access into the parent and baby room.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the room.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the parent and baby room door.
  • The baby change table is not set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
  • The baby change table is not height adjustable.
  • The height of the baby change table once extended is 97cm (3ft 2in).
  • There are disposal facilities in the parent and baby room.
  • There is a wash basin in the parent and baby room.
  • The height of the wash basin is 83cm.
  • The wash basin tap type is sensor.
  • There is a/are chair(s) in the parent and baby room.
  • There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
  • There is not a toilet in the parent and baby room.
  • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • The lighting levels are good.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the far left as you enter the Emergency Department.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 15m from the Emergency Department 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 and written text 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 twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 93cm (3ft 1in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 203cm x 199cm (6ft 8in x 6ft 6in).
    • The accessible toilet does not 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 136cm.
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side (on top of the cistern).
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a push button flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is medium.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • 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 medium.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • There is a push button alarm in the toilet.
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary and pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • 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 fixed horizontal rail without a padded backrest.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • 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 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
    • 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 69cm (2ft 3in).
    • 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 medium.
    • The wash basin tap type is sensor.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 103cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is high.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a flip down baby change table available.
    • The height of the baby change table is 91cm.

Standard Toilet(s) (Patient Toilets)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located to the far left as you enter the Emergency Department.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m from the Emergency Department 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.
    • The toilet seats have a high visual contrast.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
    • There are horizontal wall mounted rails available on both sides of the toilet.
    • The visual contrast of the horizontal wall mounted grab rail(s) in the ambulant cubicle(s) is medium.
    • There is a/are vertical wall mounted rail(s) on the left as you face the toilet.
    • The visual contrast of the vertical wall mounted grab rails in the ambulant cubicle(s) is medium.
    • There are additional ambulant cubicles with differing rail configurations.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 82cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The wall fixed soap dispenser is located above and to the left of the wash basin.
    • Lighting levels are good.