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Social Services

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.

Getting To (Social Services)

  • Social Services is/are located on level 2.
  • Access to Social Services is via the Freeman Hospital main entrance.
  • After entering the Freeman Hospital main entrance, continue past reception and past the shop. At the information board turn left and continue ahead to the lifts on the left. Take the lifts to level 2 and on exiting turn left. Go through the double doors and continue along the corridor on the right. Social Services is located on the left.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Social Services.
  • Social Services is approximately 40m from the lifts.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the Lift and the department/service.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.

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.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2-3-4-5-6-7.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are medium.

Lift (Ward Block)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located within Ward Block.
  • The lift is approximately 91m (99yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1-2-3-4-5-6-7.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 131cm (4ft 4in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 155cm x 256cm (5ft 1in x 8ft 5in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • Lift controls are 132cm from the floor.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:45 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 08:45 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 08:45 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 08:45 - 17:00.
  • Friday 08:45 - 17:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Entrance (Reception Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the main corridor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance, via lift.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 75cm.

Reception

  • The Reception Desk is located on the left as you enter.
  • The reception area/desk is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the entrance.
  • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to the reception area/desk.
  • The lighting levels at the reception area/desk are medium.
  • The height of the reception desk is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the desk.
  • There is not a low section of the desk (76cm or below) available.
  • There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the desk.
  • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low section of the desk.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a portable loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.

Waiting Room / Area (Waiting Area)

  • There is a waiting room / area.
  • The waiting room / area is approximately 1m from the entrance.
  • There is level access into the waiting room / area.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the waiting room / area.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 75cm (2ft 6in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is not 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.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Interview Room)

  • There is / are 2 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; 1.
  • 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.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 77cm (2ft 6in).
  • The type of flooring is carpet.
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is not a bed / couch.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not adjustable.
  • There are some chairs with armrests available.
  • Some tables are permanently fixed.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • Lighting levels are medium.

Accessible Toilet

  • The nearest Accessible toilets are located in the foyer of the restaurant on this level.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • The nearest standard toilets are located in the foyer of the restaurant on this level.

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