Access Guide
Getting To The Hospital
-
By Road
View
- The main hospital entrance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary is located off Queen Victoria Road. The Leazes Wing entrance is located off Richardson Road. If you are using a sat nav to find the hospital please use the postcode NE1 4LP.
- The Blue Badge parking areas and the multi storey car park are located off Queen Victoria Road.
-
By Bus
View
- The nearest bus stop to the Royal Victoria Infirmary main entrance is located on St Thomas Street. Bus services 16, 15, 32 and 50 run from this stop. The nearest bus stop to the Leazes Wing entrance is located on Richardson Road, opposite this entrance.
-
By Train
View
- The nearest National Rail station is Newcastle.
-
By Underground
View
- The nearest Metro Station is Haymarket.
-
Useful Links
View
- This link explains how to find the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance
- There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
- The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located in the ground floor Atrium.
- The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 0800 032 0202.
- 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 receive disability awareness / equality training.
- Hospital staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
- Volunteers can be found at the information point on the first floor.
- No hospital staff receive deaf awareness training.
- Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, Makaton on request and different languages on request.
- There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
- Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
- To obtain mobility aids please contact main reception.
- There is a Changing Places facility at this hospital which is located on Level 3 in the Victoria Wing.
- 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 (Leazes Wing Entrance)
-
Parking
View
- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
- The car park is located to the right of the Wing entrance as you face the building.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- 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 a/are clearly marked/signposted Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
- There is/are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 370cm x 500cm.
- 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 in 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 not parking charges for the hospital car park.
- Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- Payment machines are located inside the hospital building.
-
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 dropped kerbs.
- The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 46m (50yd 11in) from the main Leazes Wing 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 (The Park Suite)
- The Park Suite is/are located on level 5 of The Leazes Wing.
- Access to The Park Suite is via the Leazes Wing hospital entrance.
- After entering the Leazes Wing main entrance, continue ahead to the rear of the foyer. Turn right into the main corridor and follow signage to the East Block lifts. Take the lift to level 5, on exiting turn right through the open doors and turn right. Walk to the end of the corridor and the Park Suite is located straight ahead.
- There is step free access, via lift, to The Park Suite.
- The Park Suite is approximately 22m 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 with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
Outside Access (Leazes Wing Main Entrance)
-
Entrance Details
View
- This information is for the entrance located to the left of the Blue Badge parking bays.
- 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 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 166cm.
- 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 154cm.
- 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 level 2 to level 6.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The steps are 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 bright.
Lift (East Block Lifts)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located along the main corridor on level 3, to the right of the Leazes Wing entrance.
- The lift is approximately 95m (103yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are levels 2 to level 6.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 130cm (4ft 3in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 150cm x 280cm (4ft 11in x 9ft 2in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is 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 have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is medium.
Ward
-
Ward Information
View
- This is a/an private patients ward ward.
- This is a shared ward.
- There is/are 0 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 6 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 6 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) away from you (push).
- 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 width of the door opening is 172cm (5ft 8in).
- There is level access throughout the ward.
- There is no clear signage on the ward.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate and wood.
- 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 Nurses' Station desk is 71cm.
- There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
-
Example Side Room
View
- There are multiple side rooms available with accessible ensuites.
- 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 not 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 available.
- The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is high.
- The lighting levels in the side room are medium.
- The width of the door opening into the ensuite is over 75cm.
- There is not a clear unobstructed turning space within the ensuite.
- The fixtures/facilities available in the ensuite include; a shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the ensuite is high.
- The lighting levels in the ensuite are medium.
-
Ward Features and Patient Facilities
View
- 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.
-
Visitor Facilities
View
- There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located just outside the ward, on the main corridor.
- There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located just outside the ward, on the main corridor.
Washroom (Room 2)
-
Washroom Details
View
- The washroom surveyed has a shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- There is/are 6 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
- The washroom surveyed is located in room 2.
- 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) outwards.
- 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 85cm (2ft 9in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 136cm x 150cm (4ft 6in x 4ft 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 within reach and fully functional.
- There is not 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 specifications, for ease of use.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the wash basin is 85cm.
- 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 can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 89cm.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
-
Toilet Details
View
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
- The cistern is close coupled and can act as a back rest.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- 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 89cm.
- There is a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
-
Shower Details
View
- There is a wheel in shower.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The shower control type is twist/turn.
- There is a flip down/tip up seat for the shower.
- The height of the flip down/tip up or fixed seat is 45cm (1ft 6in).
- There are wall-mounted grab rails available.
-
Colour Contrast and Lighting
View
- 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 high.
- The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the right of the toilet and wall is high.
- 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.
Toilet with Adaptations
- There are not accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
-
Comments
View
- The nearest accessible toilet is located within ward 47.
Standard Toilet(s)
-
Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
View
- Standard toilet facilities are not available.
-
Comments
View
- The nearest toilet is located within ward 47.