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WHSmith

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (WHSmith)

  • WHSmith is/are located on Level 2 of the Freeman Hospital.
  • Access to WHSmith is via the NCCC main entrance.
  • From the NCCC main entrance, continue straight ahead, going past the reception desk for approximately 20 metres.
    WHSmith is then on the right.
  • There is step free access to WHSmith.
  • WHSmith is approximately 20m from the NCCC main entrance.
  • There are resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is not 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.

Multi-Storey Car Park

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the rear of the hospital grounds.
    • The car park is multi-storey.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • The height of the restriction barrier is 200cm.
    • There are 8 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 228cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 118cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 150m from the Northern Centre for Cancer Care accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has slight slopes.
    • There are manual doors along the most accessible route.
    • This route has uneven surfaces.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, visitors, Blue Badge holders and permit 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.

Northern Centre For Cancer Care Accessible Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the rear of the hospital building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • The entrance area is not 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 slight gradient.
  • There is a bell at a height of 100cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 119cm.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 129cm.
  • 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 99cm.
  • There is also a set of revolving doors at this entrance.
  • This entrance brings you into level 2 of the Northern Centre for Cancer Care.

Entrance (WHSmith)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on level 2 of the NCCC building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There are no doors at this entrance.
    • The width of the door opening is 492cm.

Inside Access

  • There is level access once inside.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
  • Wayfinding signage is not available.
  • No Braille signage is available.
  • No tactile signage is available.
  • No pictorial signage is available.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • The lighting levels are good.

Counter (Self-Service Till)

  • The self-service till is located at the rear left of the store.
  • The counter is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the shop entrance.
  • Clear signage for the counter is not visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to the counter.
  • There is a clear unobstructed route to the counter.
  • There are no windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the counter which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • The counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
  • The lighting levels at the counter are good.
  • The height of the counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • The height of the bagging tray is 50cm.
    • The height to the top of the touchscreen is 140cm.
    • The height of the scanning area is 89cm.
    • There is a movable card reader.
    • The self-service till has an audio announcer.

Eating and Drinking (Coffee House)

  • Location and Access View
    • The following information is for the café.
    • The café is located to the left of WHSmith.
    • There is step-free access to the café.
  • Service and Menus View
    • Tables cannot be booked in advance.
    • There is a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
    • Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
    • Menu types include; written wall menus.
    • Menus are clearly written.
    • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
    • Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
    • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
    • Takeaway cups are available.
    • Adapted cups are not available.
    • Adapted cutlery is available.
    • Drinking straws are available.
    • This area does not play background music.
    • 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 hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested on 22/02/2022.
    • The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
  • Service Counter(s) View
    • The height of the counter is 88cm.
    • There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
  • Tables and Seating View
    • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
    • The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 74cm.
    • No tables are permanently fixed.
    • No chairs are permanently fixed.
    • No chairs have armrests on both sides.
    • The type of flooring in this area is vinyl.
    • There is flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • 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 on level 2 to the right of the reception.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 23m (25yd 6in) from the Northern Centre for Cancer and Renal Services entrance.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens by sliding (Bi-Fold).
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 91cm (2ft 12in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 192cm x 222cm (6ft 4in x 7ft 3in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 124cm (4ft 1in).
    • The lateral transfer space was obstructed at the time of the survey.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • 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 a/are general domestic waste disposal units.
    • There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the cubicle.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • There are coat hooks in the toilet at 108cm and 144cm from the floor.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is not higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • 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 117cm.
    • 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 toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are medium.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s) View
    • The shared toilets that were surveyed are located on Level 2 to the right of the reception.
    • The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 23m (25yd 6in) from the Northern Centre for Cancer and Renal Services entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
    • Lighting levels are medium.

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