You are on Getting To The Hospital. Skip to the next section.

Getting To The Hospital

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• 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, our 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.
• By Train View
  • The nearest National Rail station is Newcastle.
  • To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).

You are on Getting Help and Assistance. Skip to the next section.

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.
• Volunteers do not receive disability awareness / equality training.
• There is an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
• Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
• BSL interpreters cannot be provided on request.
• Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
• Additional hospital services link (new tab) - click here.

You are on Hospital Parking (Multi-Story Car Park). Skip to the next section.

Hospital Parking (Multi-Story Car Park)

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• Parking View
  • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
  • The car park is located at the rear of the building.
  • The car park type is multi storey.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
  • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • There is not a/are not clearly marked/signposted Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
  • There is/are 0 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
• Drop-off Point View
  • There is not a designated drop-off point.
• 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 machines are located on level 1 of the car park.
  • Payment machines are located and the ground floor.
  • 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.

You are on Getting To (WHSmith). Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Outside Access (Accessible Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)

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• Entrance Details View
  • This information is for the entrance located at the rear 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/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
  • The bell is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
  • The intercom is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The width of the door opening is 129cm.
  • 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 doors.
  • The ramp/slope gradient is easy.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.

You are on Reception (Main Reception). Skip to the next section.

Reception (Main Reception)

• The main reception is located directly ahead as you enter.
• The reception area/desk is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the Northern Centre for Cancer and Renal Services 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 high (110cm+).
• There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the desk.
• There is a low section of the desk (76cm or below) available.
• There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the desk.
• There is 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 fixed loop.
• The hearing assistance system is signed.
• Staff are trained to use the system.

You are on Entrance (WHSmith). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (WHSmith)

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• 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.

You are on Inside Access. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Counter (Self-Service Till). Skip to the next section.

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.

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• 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.

You are on Eating and Drinking (Coffee House). Skip to the next section.

Eating and Drinking (Coffee House)

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• 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.
  • Plastic/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.

You are on Accessible Toilet (Right Hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Accessible Toilet (Right Hand Transfer)

• Accessible toilet facilities are available.

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• 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 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 toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
  • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
  • The lighting levels are medium.

You are on Standard Toilet(s). Skip to the next section.

Standard Toilet(s)

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• 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.