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Ward 21 - HDU

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 (Ward 21 HDU)

  • Ward 21 HDU is/are located on level 3.
  • Access to Ward 21 HDU is via the Main Cardiothoracic Entrance.
  • After entering the main Cardiothoracic entrance, continue past reception and turn right. Continue along the corridor past the toilets and then turn left, proceed along the corridor to the lifts located on the left. Take the lifts to level 3 and on exiting turn right, proceed along the corridor and turn right through the double doors. Continue past the entrance for ward 21 ICU, turn left and the entrance for ward 21 HDU is located on the left.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Ward 21 HDU.
  • Ward 21 HDU is approximately 400m from the 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 which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.

Outside Access (Cardiothoracic Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is 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) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 127cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 127cm.
    • 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 1-2-3-4.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are medium.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right of the building.
  • The lift is approximately 66m (72yd 6in) from the cardiothoracic entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 1-2-3-4.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 128cm (4ft 2in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 157cm x 276cm (5ft 2in x 9ft 1in).
  • 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 within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low.

Opening Times (Visiting Hours)

  • Monday 14:00 - 20:00.
  • Tuesday 14:00 - 20:00.
  • Wednesday 14:00 - 20:00.
  • Thursday 14:00 - 20:00.
  • Friday 14:00 - 20:00.
  • Saturday 14:00 - 20:00.
  • Sunday 14:00 - 20:00.

Ward

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an HDU ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 9 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 2 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 11 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) is/are heavy.
    • There is not an intercom/bell at/near this ward entrance which is in a suitable position for people who require access or assistance (between 95cm - 105cm).
    • The hand sanitiser is not in a suitable position for wheelchair users.
    • The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • There is clear signage on the ward.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is some flooring on the ward with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the ward reception desk is 109cm.
    • There is not a lowered section.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • Relatives' Room View
    • There is a relatives room for the ward.
    • The width of the door opening into the relatives room is over 75cm.
    • There is a clear turning space in the relatives room.
    • There is not a/are not chair(s) with armrests available within the relatives room.
  • Example Side Room View
    • There are no side rooms available with an accessible ensuite.
    • The side room surveyed does not 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 sufficient space next to the bed for a mobile hoist to operate.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
    • Bedside storage is not available.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is good.
    • The lighting levels in the side room are medium.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • A hearing assistance system can be brought in from another department/ward.
    • The ward does not play background music.
    • There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
    • A mobile hoist is not 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 outside the ward entrance.
    • There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located outside the ward entrance.

Room / Area (Relatives Quiet/Day Room)

  • There is / are 1 room(s) / area(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room / area surveyed was; Quiet/Day Room.
  • The room / area is approximately 35m from the HDU ward entrance.
  • There is step free access to the room / area.
  • Step free access is by lift.
  • 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.
  • 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 chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
  • There are no chairs with armrests available.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • The room / area does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room / area.
  • Lighting levels are medium.

Accessible Toilet

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is located off the main corridor, past the HDU ward entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the HDU ward entrance.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • 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 width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 166cm x 285cm (5ft 5in x 9ft 4in).
    • The accessible toilet does not 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 98cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 not an emergency alarm.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • 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 not a mirror.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 102cm (3ft 4in).
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 97cm.
    • 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 colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a fair colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are medium.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • The nearest standard toilets are located in the corridor outside the ward 21 entrance.

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