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Changing Places (Freeman Hospital)

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • By Road View
    • The main hospital entrance to the Freeman Hospital is located off Freeman Road. The Freeman Hospital is at the north of Newcastle in High Heaton. It can be easily accessed by public transport or car. If you have a sat nav, postcode is NE7 7DN.
    • The Blue Badge parking areas and the multi storey car park are located off Freeman Road.
  • By Bus View
    • The nearest bus stop to the Freeman Hospital main entrance is located on Freeman Road. There are two Bus services. Zone 27 routes 3,18,32,38,A. Zone 17 routes 3,6,7,8,18,32,38,340,16.
  • By Train View

Getting Help and Assistance

  • There is not a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
  • The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is [email protected].
  • There are volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
  • There is a Changing Places facility at this hospital which is located at the front right of the first corridor on the right as you enter via the main entrance.
  • To view the Changing Places Accessibility Guide please click here.
  • Interpreting services can be provided by the Trust and confirmation of booking details can be provided by the PALS team.
  • Additional hospital services link (new tab) - click here.

Hospital Parking (Car Park 1)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located in front of the hospital.
    • 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.
    • Controls at the barrier are within the range of 100cm to 110cm.
    • The barrier controls/touchscreen can be reached from the car.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are clearly marked/signposted 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 366cm x 591cm.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located at the front of the main entrance.
    • There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
  • 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 not make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Payment machines are located close to the Blue Badge parking bays.
    • 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 slopes/ramps.
    • The hospital entrance is 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 169m (184yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Comments View
    • In order to ensure vehicles are registered for free parking on the day of attendance, Blue Badge holders are required to provide their registration number to reception, by telephone to 0191 2231353 or via email to [email protected]. This applies for each visit to the hospital.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped 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.
    • The main door(s) open(s) by revolving.
    • The width of the door opening is 214cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is easy.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.

Getting To (The Changing Place)

  • The Changing Place is/are located at the front right of the first corridor, on the right as you enter via the main entrance.
  • Access to the Changing Place is via the Royal Victoria Hospital main entrance.
  • From the Freeman Hospital main entrance, turn right into the first corridor, the Changing Place is then at the front of the corridor, on the right.
  • There is step free access to the Changing Place.
  • The Changing Place is approximately 15m from the Royal Victoria Hospital main entrance.
  • There are resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • 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.

Changing Places (Main Reception Area)

  • Location and Access View
    • The facility is located at the front right of the first corridor, on the right as you enter via the main entrance.
    • The facility is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is level access into the facility.
    • The facility surveyed is for the sole use of disabled people.
    • The colour contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • You do need a key for the facility.
    • The key is a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from the hospital main reception desk.
    • The door opens inwards and outwards.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
    • The width of the door is 103cm (3ft 5in).
    • The dimensions of the facility are 315cm x 357cm.
    • There is a clear 200cm x 180cm manoeuvring space in the facility.
    • The facility has a non-slip floor.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is good.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The facility toilet has a transfer space on both sides.
    • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 82cm (2ft 8in).
    • The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 165cm (5ft 5in).
    • Dropdown rails are provided.
    • As you face the toilet the dropdown rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • The colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • As you face the toilet there are vertical grab rails on both sides.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the right of the toilet and wall is good.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a lever flush.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 92cm.
    • The toilet has a backrest.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • There is an emergency alarm for the toilet.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is within reach and fully functional.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The facility changing bench is wall mounted.
    • The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
    • The length of the facility changing bench is 178cm (5ft 10in).
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead.
    • The overhead hoist covers all areas in the cubicle.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is a shower unit with a detachable shower head.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The adjustable shower head cannot be placed between 105cm and 185cm when mounted.
    • There is no seat for the shower.
    • There is a vertical grab rail for the shower.
    • The colour contrast between the vertical grab rail(s) for the shower and wall is good.
  • Other Facilities View
    • A privacy screen is available.
    • The type of wash basin is adjustable.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available at the wash basin.
    • As you face the wash basin, the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • The colour contrast between the wash basin grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 122cm.
    • Wide tear off paper roll is available.
    • The wide paper roll dispenser is not at the recommended height of 80cm-100cm.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser is at the recommended height of 80cm-100cm.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is a/are non-infectious waste, sanitary and pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is not an emergency alarm for the facility.
    • There is a coat hook.
    • There are coat hooks at 99cm and 144cm from the floor.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon.
    • The lighting levels are good.

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