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Cardiothoracic Entrance

Freeman Hospital, Freeman Road, High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN

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Access Guide

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Multi-Storey Car Park

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the rear of the hospital grounds.
    • The car park is multi-storey.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • The height of the restriction barrier is 200cm.
    • There are 8 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 228cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 118cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 150m from the Northern Centre for Cancer Care accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has slight slopes.
    • There are manual doors along the most accessible route.
    • This route has uneven surfaces.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, visitors, Blue Badge holders and permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders but not all users.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • Electric Vehicle charging points are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Yellow Car Park

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the front of the hospital grounds.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 52 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 415cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 128cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 85m from the Outpatients Department entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has steep slopes.
    • This route has uneven surfaces.
  • 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
    • Electric Vehicle charging points are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Cardiothoracic Centre Drop-Off Point

  • A designated drop-off point is available.
  • The designated drop-off point is located to the right of the Cardiothoracic Centre entrance.

Cardiothoracic Centre Entrance

  • This entrance is located on the right side of the front of the hospital building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a steep gradient.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 141cm.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 126cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 136cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 129cm.
  • This entrance brings you into level 2 of the Cardiothoracic Centre.

Cardiothoracic Centre Reception

  • Location View
    • The reception is located to the right as you enter the hospital via the Cardiothoracic Centre entrance.
    • The distance from the Cardiothoracic Centre entrance is 4m.
  • 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 the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 73cm.
    • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested, however it was not working at the time of the survey.
    • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 133cm to 157cm from the floor.
    • The touchscreen is for wayfinding only.
    • 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 room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
    • Seating is fixed.
    • The opening to the reception area is 140cm wide.

Inside Access

  • There is level access once inside.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
  • Wayfinding signage is available.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
  • The lighting levels are medium.

Waiting Room / Area

  • There is a waiting room / area.
  • The waiting room / area is approximately 5m from the cardiothoracic entrance.
  • There is level access into the waiting room / area.
  • There is not a/are not door(s) into the waiting room / area.
  • The type of flooring is carpet.
  • There is a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
  • All chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Chairs with armrests are not available.
  • Announcements are in person.
  • The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
  • There is not a television.
  • Vending machines are not available.
  • A water dispenser is not 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 medium.

Cardiothoracic Centre Stairs

  • The stairs are located at the end of the corridor to the right as you enter via the Cardiothoracic Centre entrance.
  • Levels 2, 3 and 4 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are permanently held open doors to access the stairwell.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Cardiothoracic Centre - Lifts K and L

  • The lift surveyed is located at the end of the corridor that is to the right as you enter via the Cardiothoracic Centre entrance.
  • The distance from the Cardiothoracic Centre entrance is 45m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • Levels 2, 3 and 4 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 2000kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • 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 140cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 146cm (width) x 268cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a low colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift 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, an intercom hearing assistance system and a mirror to aid reversing.
    • 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.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is written text and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the left hand side on the main corridor.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 27m (29yd 1ft) from the entrance.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 149cm x 225cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 5in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 78cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the cubicle.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 106cm (3ft 6in).
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 90cm.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high visual contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are available within this accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 89cm (2ft 11in).

Standard Toilet(s)

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