Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Home From Home

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

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Getting To (Home From Home)

Hospital Parking (Car Park 1 - Blue Badge Only Car Park)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
    • The car park is located at the front 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.
    • 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 230cm x 482cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 10in).
    • There is not 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 throughout 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 inside the hospital building, at the front of the car park and 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 clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the hospital main entrance.

Outside Access (Maternity Unit Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the front left side of the hospital.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • There are bollards outside this entrance.
    • The bollard(s) does/do not 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 103cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 102cm (3ft 4in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 135cm.
    • 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 132cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrances.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.

Lift (Maternity Unit Lift)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located directly ahead as you enter the Maternity Unit.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the Maternity Unit 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 L0, L1 and L2.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not 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 visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 130cm (4ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 145cm x 270cm (4ft 9in x 8ft 10in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in 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 not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The internal lift controls are between 83cm to 101cm high.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Entrance (Home From Home)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on level 1 of the Maternity Block.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance, via lift.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 135cm.

Ward (Home from Home)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an labour ward.
    • This is a female ward.
    • There is/are 7 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 7 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 7 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) automatically (away from you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 142cm (4ft 8in).
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 107cm (3ft 6in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 109cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • There is no clear signage on the ward.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is some flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 110cm.
    • 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.
  • Relatives' Room View
    • There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • A hearing assistance system is not available on the ward.
    • The ward does not play background music.
    • There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
    • A mobile hoist is available on the ward.
    • There are washroom facilities for patients on the ward.
    • There are toilet facilities for patients 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 the ground floor in the maternity outpatients reception.
    • There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located on the ground floor in maternity outpatients.
  • Visiting Times View
    • There are set visiting times for the ward.
    • Visiting times are 14:00 to 16:00 and 18:00 to 20:00.
    • The visiting times are the same for each day.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Room 3)

  • There is / are 7 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; 3.
  • 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 with an open extension leaf.
  • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 102cm (3ft 4in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is a bed / couch.
  • The bed / couch is adjustable.
  • 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.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Room 7)

  • There is / are 7 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; 7.
  • 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 with an open extension leaf.
  • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 102cm (3ft 4in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is a bed / couch.
  • The bed / couch is adjustable.
  • 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.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Washroom (Room 3)

  • Washroom Details View
    • The washroom surveyed has a bath, a toilet and a wash basin.
    • There is/are 7 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
    • The washroom surveyed is located in Room 3.
    • There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
    • This washroom is female.
    • The dimensions of the washroom are 270cm x 310cm (8ft 10in x 10ft 2in).
    • The washroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
    • There is not a coat hook in the washroom.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin is 80cm.
    • There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the wash basin.
    • The tap type is lever. It is not a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 98cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 124cm.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • There is a/are clinical waste disposal units.
    • The washroom has a non-slip floor.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 5in).
    • The toilet has a wall which can act as a back rest.
    • There is not a lateral transfer space.
    • There is a flush.
    • There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
    • There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the toilet.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 96cm.
    • There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
    • There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
  • Bath Details View
    • There is a bath.
    • The height of the side of the bath from floor level is 78cm (2ft 7in).
    • The bath is not height adjustable.
    • The bath tap type is twist/turn. It is not a mixer tap.
    • There is not a shower over/for the bath.
    • There are not wall-mounted grab rails available for the bath.
    • A bath hoist is not available.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
    • The visual contrast between the washroom floor and walls is medium.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Washroom (Room 7)

  • Washroom Details View
    • The washroom surveyed has a bath, a wash basin and a toilet.
    • There is/are 7 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
    • The washroom surveyed is located in Room 7.
    • There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
    • This washroom is female.
    • There is no additional signage on or near the washroom door.
    • The washroom door(s) open(s) sliding.
    • The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 204cm (6ft 8in).
    • The dimensions of the washroom are 270cm x 310cm (8ft 10in x 10ft 2in).
    • The washroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm .
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s) 171cm 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 wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin is 80cm .
    • There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the wash basin.
    • The tap type is lever. It is not a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 100cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 121cm.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • There is a/are clinical waste disposal units.
    • The washroom has a non-slip floor.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 4in).
    • The toilet has a lid obstructing the back rest/cistern/wall.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 96cm.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
    • There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the toilet.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 96cm.
    • There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
  • Bath Details View
    • There is a bath.
    • The height of the side of the bath from floor level is 82cm (2ft 8in).
    • The bath is not height adjustable.
    • The bath tap type is twist/turn. It is not a mixer tap.
    • There is a shower over/for the bath.
    • The shower head is hand held.
    • There are not wall-mounted grab rails available for the bath.
    • A bath hoist is not available.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The visual contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
    • The visual contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is high.
    • The toilet seat visual contrast is low.
    • The visual contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
    • Lighting levels are good.