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Paediatric Intensive Care Unit

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Paediatric Intensive Care Unit)

  • Paediatric Intensive Care Unit is/are located on level 3.
  • Access to Paediatric Intensive Care Unit is via the Cardiothoracic Entrance.
  • After entering the Cardiothoracic entrance, continue past reception and turn right.
    Proceed past the toilets and turn left and then follow this corridor to the lifts on the left. Continue ahead and turn right, follow the corridor to the end and go through the double doors and turn right.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
  • Paediatric Intensive Care Unit is approximately 14m from the lifts.
  • There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the lifts and the department/service.
  • 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.

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 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 - 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.

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.

Ward (Paediatric Intensive Care Unit)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an Intensive Care ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 1 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 4 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 13 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) 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 170cm (5ft 7in).
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 114cm (3ft 9in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 113cm (3ft 8in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 115cm (3ft 9in).
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • There is no clear signage on the ward.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 105cm.
    • There is a lowered section.
    • The height of the lowered section of the desk is 73cm.
    • 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 is one side room available with an accessible ensuite.
    • 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 high.
    • The lighting levels in the side room are good.
    • The width of the door opening into the ensuite is over 75cm.
    • There is not a clear unobstructed turning space within the ensuite.
    • The fixtures/facilities available in the ensuite include; a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
    • The visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the ensuite is high.
    • 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.
  • 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 of the hospital.
    • There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located on the ground floor of the hospital.
  • Visiting Times View
    • There are no set visiting times, please contact the ward in advance.
    • The visiting times are the same for each day.
    • Visiting are welcome at all times, however it is preferred if visitors leave before 20:00.

Day Room / Lounge Area (Quiet Room)

  • There is a day room/lounge area.
  • There is level access into the day room/lounge area.
  • The day room/lounge area is always open.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the day room/lounge area.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
  • The door(s) is/are easy to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is not a space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There are seats with armrests on both sides.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • There is not a television.
  • 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 good.

Day Room / Lounge Area (Wellbeing Room)

  • There is a day room/lounge area.
  • There is level access into the day room/lounge area.
  • The day room/lounge area is always open.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the day room/lounge area.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) is/are easy to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is not a space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
  • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 45cm (1ft 6in).
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • There is not a television.
  • 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 good.

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