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Maternity Ward

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Maternity Ward)

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.

Ward (Maternity Ward)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a female ward.
    • There is/are 4 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 8 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 32 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 (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 102cm (3ft 4in) .
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 105cm (3ft 5in) .
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 141cm (4ft 7in) .
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 102cm (3ft 4in) .
    • 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 good.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 112cm.
    • 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.
  • Example Side Room View
    • There are multiple side rooms available with accessible ensuites.
    • The side room surveyed does have 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 room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
    • Bedside storage is available.
    • The visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is medium.
    • The lighting levels in the side room are good.
    • The width of the door opening into the ensuite is over 75cm.
    • There is a clear unobstructed turning space within the ensuite.
    • The fixtures/facilities available in the ensuite include; a toilet, a wash basin and a wheel in shower.
    • The visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the ensuite is low.
    • The lighting levels in the ensuite are good.
  • 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 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 Reception.
  • Visiting Times View
    • There are set visiting times for the ward.
    • Visiting times are 14:00 to 16:00 and 18:30 to 20:00.
    • The visiting times are the same for each day.

Washroom (Accessible Side Room)

  • Washroom Details View
    • The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
    • There is/are 1 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
    • There is/are also 5+ washroom(s) which has/have a shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
    • The washroom surveyed is located in the side room.
    • 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) inwards.
    • The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm (2ft 8in).
    • The dimensions of the washroom are 280cm x 220cm (9ft 2in x 7ft 3in).
    • The washroom does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is tied up and 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 74cm.
    • As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
    • 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 95cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 130cm.
    • 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 45cm (1ft 6in).
    • 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 left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 80cm.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • 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 85cm.
    • There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
    • There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The shower head height is fixed.
    • The shower control type is twist/turn.
    • There is no seat for the shower.
    • There are not wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
    • The visual contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is high.
    • The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall is high.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the right of the toilet and wall is high.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
    • The visual contrast between the washroom floor and walls is low.
    • Lighting levels are good.

Washroom (Bay 3 Patient Shower)

  • Washroom Details View
    • The washroom surveyed has a shower.
    • There is/are 3 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
    • There is/are also 5 washroom(s) which has/have a toilet, a wheel in shower and a wash basin.
    • The washroom surveyed is located on the main ward corridor.
    • 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) inwards.
    • The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The dimensions of the washroom are 125cm x 127cm (4ft 1in x 4ft 2in).
    • The washroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • There is not an emergency pull cord alarm .
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s) 136cm from the floor.
    • There is not a mirror.
    • There is not a wash basin.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • There is a/are clinical waste disposal units.
    • The washroom has a non-slip floor.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is not a wheel in shower.
    • The shower does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The shower control type is twist/turn.
    • There is no seat for the shower.
    • There are not wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
    • The shower cubicle is accessed via a medium step.
  • 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 visual contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
    • Lighting levels are good.

Standard Toilet(s) (Bay 3 Toilet)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female toilet is located on the main ward corridor next to Bay 3.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • 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 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 78cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The wall fixed soap dispenser is located above and to the right of the wash basin.
    • Lighting levels are good.