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Ward 21 - ICU

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Ward 21 ICU)

  • Ward 21 ICU is/are located on level 3.
  • Access to Ward 21 ICU 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. Ward 21 ICU is located on the left.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Ward 21 ICU.
  • Ward 21 ICU is approximately 350m from the lifts.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the lifts and the department/service.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery 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.

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 ICU ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 15 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 6 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 21 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) automatically (away from you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • 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 180cm (5ft 11in).
    • 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.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the ward reception desk is 105cm.
    • 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.
  • Example Side Room View
    • There are no side rooms available with an accessible ensuite.
    • The width of the door opening into the side room is over 75cm.
    • The side room surveyed does have a ceiling track hoist.
    • The hoist covers the bed.
    • 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 visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is high.
    • 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 not 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 in the corridor outside the ward.
    • There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located in the corridor outside the ward.

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.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • 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 visual 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.

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