Access Guide
Getting To The Hospital
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By Road
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- 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.
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By Bus
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- 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.
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By Train
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- The nearest National Rail station is Newcastle.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
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)
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Parking
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- 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.
- 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 366cm x 591cm (12ft x 19ft 5in).
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
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Drop-off Point
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- 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.
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Paying
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- 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).
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Access to the Hospital
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- 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.
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Comments
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- 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 (Ward 2)
- Ward 2 is/are located on level 3.
- Access to Ward 2 is via the Freeman Hospital main entrance.
- After entering the Freeman Hospital main entrance, continue ahead to the end of the main corridor. Turn left into the ward block building and the main lifts are located on the left. Take the lifts to level 3 and on exiting turn right. Ward 2 is located on the right.
- There is step free access, via lift, to Ward 2 .
- Ward 2 is approximately 11m from the ward block lifts.
- There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the lifts and the department/service.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
- There is flooring in corridors with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
- There is some flooring in corridors with large, repeating patterns that incorporate bold contrasting colours or simulate steps.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- 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.
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Ramp/Slope Details
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- 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
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Steps
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- 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 (Visiting Hours)
- Monday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Monday 18:00 - 20:00.
- Tuesday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Tuesday 18:00 - 20:00.
- Wednesday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Wednesday 18:00 - 20:00.
- Thursday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Thursday 18:00 - 20:00.
- Friday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Friday 18:00 - 20:00.
- Saturday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Saturday 18:00 - 20:00.
- Sunday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Sunday 18:00 - 20:00.
Ward
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Ward Information
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- This is a/an adult urology ward.
- This is a shared ward.
- There is/are 4 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 6 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 30 bed(s) on this ward in total.
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Ward Access
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- 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) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 152cm (4ft 12in).
- There is level access throughout the ward.
- There is clear signage on the ward.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is flooring on the ward with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
- There is some flooring on the ward with large, repeating patterns that incorporate bold contrasting colours or simulate steps.
- The lighting levels are medium.
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Reception/Nurses' Station
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- The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 110cm.
- There is a lowered section.
- The height of the lowered section of the desk is 75cm.
- There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
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Ward Features and Patient Facilities
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- 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.
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Visitor Facilities
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- There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located outside the ward on the corridor next to the main lifts.
- There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located in the main foyer.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Treatment Room)
- There is / are 1 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Treatment Room.
- 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 with a locked extension leaf.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is a bed / couch.
- The bed / couch is adjustable.
- A hoist is not available.
- There is sufficient space next to the bed/couch for a mobile hoist to operate.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is not/are not adjustable.
- All chairs have 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.
Room / Area (Day Room)
- There is / are 1 room(s) / area(s) available.
- The name / number of the room / area surveyed was; Day Room.
- There is step free access to the room / area.
- There is a/are door(s) into the room / 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 permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is not a bed / couch.
- A hoist is not available.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
- All chairs have armrests available.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room / area.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Washroom
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Washroom Details
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- 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 1 washroom(s) which has/have a bath and a wash basin.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This is an interchangeable between male and female washroom.
- 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(s) is/are heavy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 76cm (2ft 6in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 184cm x 362cm (6ft x 11ft 11in).
- The washroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is a/are coat hook(s) 176cm from the floor.
- There is a mirror.
- There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifictions, 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 82cm.
- There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the wash basin.
- The tap type is twist/turn. 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 110cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 138cm.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
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Toilet Details
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- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
- The cistern is close coupled and can act as a back rest.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 68cm.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
- There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the toilet.
- 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 81cm.
- There is a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
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Shower Details
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- There is a wheel in shower.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The shower control type is lever.
- A shower chair is available.
- There are wall-mounted grab rails available.
- The shower area is accessed via an easy slope.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is low.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- The colour contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Washroom (Bath)
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Washroom Details
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- The washroom surveyed has a bath and a wash basin.
- There is/are 1 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
- There is/are also 1 washroom(s) which has/have a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This is a shared washroom.
- There is 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(s) is/are heavy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 266cm x 364cm (8ft 9in x 11ft 11in).
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
- There is a 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 specifictions, for ease of use.
- There is a wash basin.
- The height of the wash basin is 81cm.
- As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
- The tap type is twist/turn. It is not a mixer tap.
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 112cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 143cm.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
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Bath Details
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- The height of the side of the bath from floor level is 59cm (1ft 11in).
- The bath is not height adjustable.
- The bath tap type is twist/turn. It is not a mixer tap.
- There is a shower over/for the bath.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- There are wall-mounted grab rails available.
- A bath hoist is not available.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Toilet with Adaptations (Corridor)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is located on the corridor next to the ward block main lifts.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The door is heavy.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 82cm (2ft 8in).
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 255cm x 210cm (8ft 4in x 6ft 11in).
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm in front of the seat.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 182cm (5ft 12in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- 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 not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the cubicle.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- 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 44cm (1ft 5in).
- There is not a hand dryer.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 101cm.
- 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).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are poor.
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Baby Changing Facilities
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- Baby changing facilities are available within this accessible toilet.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 88cm (2ft 11in).
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
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- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
- An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is available.
- Lighting levels are medium.