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The Knowledge Hub

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol Road South, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 2AP

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • By Road View
    • The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital is located South West of central Birmingham, just off the A38 Bristol Road.
      There are several entrances to the site.
      The main hospital entrance can be reached by Gate C.
      The Pharmacy, Outpatients, Day Admissions and HDU can be reach by Entrance A.
      Entrance B is the pedestrian entrance.
    • There are Blue Badge bays located near most main entrances to the buildings.
      Car parking is available for patients and visitors to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHSFT, however at peak times the car parks can become congested and spaces are limited.
      The pay and display pay stations accept both credit/debit cards payment and the following coins: £2, £1, 50p, 20p and 10p.
      Please obtain a ticket before you leave your car and ensure that it is clearly displayed on you dash board or window. (The pay machines do not accept notes - there is a change machine available opposite the entrance to the X-ray Department).
      A parking attendant is available from 07:00 to 18:30, Monday – Friday, based in Gate C car park. Daily Parking charges are:
      Up to 2 hours - £3.80
      Up to 5 hours - £5.00
      Up to 24 hours - £7.50
      A 20 minutes drop off facility is available free of charge. Please obtain a free ticket from the pay and display machine and display in your vehicle.
      Blue badge holder charges are:
      Up to 5 hours - £3.80
      Up to 24 hours - £7.50
      Alternative payment methods include:
      Pay by phone: 01895 262122
      Pay by text: 68680
      Pay by web www.apcoaconnect.com
      Pay by App: download the Apcoa Connect App. The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Car Park location code is 4012
      Patient parking charge concessions – Weekly Tickets
      Reduced car park fees are available for patients in certain circumstances which may require regular or long term visits.
      Please pick up a form from the ward or department you are visiting or from the welcome desk situated at the main entrance to the Outpatients Department.
      The cost is £17.50 per week.
      Please note, weekly tickets cannot be purchased in advance. Ward 3 patients can apply for a separate weekly ticket costing £10.
      For more information please see the parking attendant on-site, call 0345 301 1151 or visit the APCOA Connect website at www.apcoaconnect.com (opens in new tab).
  • By Bus View
    • There are 2 main bus stops located on the A38 Bristol Road, near Gate A.
      The services here include the 61, X20, 63 and 144 which is run by First Group and NX bus.
    • There is not an onsite bus stop.
  • By Train View
    • Northfield Station is approximately 1.1 - 1.2 miles (23 - 24 minute walk) via the Bristol Road South/A38, B4121 and Bristol Road South/A38 or Woodland Road.
      This would take approximately 4 minutes via taxi.
      There is step-free access via lifts at this station.
      Selly Oak station is also near and on the A38, with lift access to reach the 61 and 63 bus services to the hospital.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance

  • There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 0121 685 4128.
  • 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 can be found near the main hospital entrance.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, Makaton on request, different languages on request and audio on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available on request.
  • BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • A mobility scooter charging point is not available at the hospital.
  • Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact a porter or any member of staff.
  • Comments View
    • There is a PALS department at ROH, but the best way of contacting is by phone or email.

Hospital Parking (Gate C - Car Park C)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located off the Entrance C access road, opposite the Main Hospital Entrance.
    • 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 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 240cm x 470cm (7ft 10in x 15ft 5in).
    • There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • 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 signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Payment machines are located near the main entrance, between the Blue Badge 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 nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Comments View
    • There are a further 4 Blue Badge bays located in front of the physiotherapy gym which is part of Car Park C.
    • The dimensions of these bays are 240cm x 480cm.
    • The nearest bay is approximately 10 metres from the entrance to the physiotherapy gym.
    • These bays can be seen in photographs 4 and 5.
    • There are no payment machines near this area.
    • Free parking for 20 minutes is available.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located facing the access road from Entrance C. The Knowledge Hub is the first building on the left after the gate.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step free 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.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 150cm .
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 133cm (4ft 4in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 69cm.

Entrance (Internal Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located from the main corridor, next to the MRI unit entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 140cm .
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 140cm .
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 123cm (4ft).
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 124cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located after the entrance, leading up to the ground floor of the Knowledge Hub.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are good.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located to the right, immediately after the main entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the main entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
    • The height of the reception counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm) .
    • There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
    • The type of flooring is carpet.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
    • No tables are permanently fixed.
    • The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
    • There is not a television.
    • Vending machines are not available.
    • A water dispenser is not available.
    • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is a small refreshment station with a counter top 94cm high to make hot drinks.

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 carpet.
  • The lighting levels are good.

Conference / Meeting Facilities (Lecture Theatre)

  • Conference/meeting facilities are available.
  • The conference/meeting facilities are located on the ground floor, to the left after the entrance foyer.
  • There is step-free access to the conference/meeting facilities.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • There is a/are chair(s) with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the room(s).
  • The lighting levels in the room(s) are adjustable.
  • The lecture theatre has tiered seating.
    There are designated spaces for wheelchair users in the front row, with tables on castors which can be moved to these areas as required.
    Access to other rows of seating is from the central aisle or steps at the rear of the lecture theatre.

Conference / Meeting Facilities (Breakout Space)

  • Conference/meeting facilities are available.
  • The conference/meeting facilities are located on the ground floor, ahead from the entrance foyer.
  • There is step-free access to the conference/meeting facilities.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the room(s).
  • The lighting levels in the room(s) are good.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on the mezzanine floor.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are Ground Floor and Mezzanine.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • The top 2 steps after the landing do not have handrails.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left of the entrance to the breakout room.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are Ground Floor and Mezzanine.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do not contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is good.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is fair.
  • The clear door width is 90cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 150cm.
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Conference / Meeting Facilities (Mezzanine)

  • Conference/meeting facilities are available.
  • The conference/meeting facilities are located on the mezzanine level.
  • There is step-free access to the conference/meeting facilities, via lift.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • There is a/are chair(s) with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the room(s).
  • The lighting levels in the room(s) are moderate to good.

Accessible Toilet(s) (G24)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor, off the Spinal Topography waiting room.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 20m from the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 90cm.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 135cm x 210cm.
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 130cm from floor level.
    • The lighting levels are low to moderate.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 65cm.
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a lever flush.
    • There is no dropdown rail.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • There is a push button alarm in the toilet.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary and general waste (with lid) disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The toilet does not have a backrest or a cistern.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • 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).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is fair.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left hand side of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 114cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is poor.
  • Comments View
    • The alarm push button is 140cm high and not in reach from the toilet.
    • The waste bin in the transfer space is fixed to the wall.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The male toilet is located on the ground floor, off the rear corridor beyond the breakout space.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 25m from the main entrance.
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • The colour contrast between the internal toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • The toilet seats have a good colour contrast.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 69cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The wall fixed soap dispenser is located to the right of the wash basin.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • The male toilet is shown in photographs 1 - 4.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The female toilet is located on the ground floor, off the breakout space.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m from the main entrance.
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • The colour contrast between the internal toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • Toilet seats do not have a good colour contrast.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 80cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The wall fixed soap dispenser is located on each side of the row of wash basins.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • The female toilets are shown in photographs 5 - 10.

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