Access Guide
Overview (Southampton General Hospital)
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About
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- This is an acute hospital trust with multiple services and specialties covering the Hampshire and Wessex region.
- Facilities available in the venue include: Costa Coffee, M&S Food and Café, WHSmith, Stock Shop, Subway, League of Friends tea bar, a pharmacy, Feast Restaurant, and Paddy and Scott's Coffee Shop.
- View information on opening times
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Parking and Public Transport
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- The venue has its own car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
- There is a drop-off point, on-street standard parking and a taxi rank.
- The nearest train station is Southampton Central.
- The nearest bus station is Southampton Central Station.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
- View information on getting here (opens new tab) .
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Getting In and Around
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- There is step-free access via slope at the most accessible entrance.
- There are multiple entrances to access the main hospital building.
The main entrance enters the building on level C.
The North Wing entrance enters the building on level C and has a slight slope.
The Wessex Neurological Centre entrance enters the building on level B and has a slight ramp.
The South Academic Block entrance enters the building on level A and has a slight ramp.
The West Wing entrance enters the building on level B and has a slight or steep ramp. - There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
- The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: There is a steep ramp with handrails on both sides for access to the main hospital building from level A of the Wessex Neurology Centre.
There is a slight ramp with no handrails to access to level B of the Centre Block via Feast Restaurant from level B of the Wessex Neurology Centre. - Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
- Levels A, B, C, D, E, F and G can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
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Getting Help and Assistance
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- There is seating available.
- There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
- You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair and mobility scooter charging facilities.
- British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
- Documents are available in the following formats: Braille (on request), large print (on request), Makaton (on request), different languages (on request), voice recognition CD (on request) and audio (on request).
- There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
- There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
- Additional facilities/services include: an ATM machine, a pay phone, Wi-Fi and TV pre-pay machines for patients.
- Staff receive the following training: learning disability awareness.
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Related Access Guides
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- View information onhttps://www.accessable.co.uk/university-hospital-southampton-nhs-foundation-trust/southampton-general-hospital/access-guides/hospital-toilets-at-southampton-general-hospital (opens new tab) .
- View information on Entrances at Southampton General Hospital (opens new tab) .
- View information on Parking at Southampton General Hospital (opens new tab) .
Parking (Orange Car Park)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located in front of the main hospital building, off Tremona Road.
- The car park is multi-storey.
- The car park surface consists of tarmac.
- The height of the restriction barrier is 200cm.
- There are 15+ designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
- The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
- The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 260cm (width) x 494cm (depth).
- There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
- The width of the marked zone is 138cm.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
- The nearest designated bay is 78m from the level C - Centre Block - main hospital entrance.
- The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has slight ramps or slopes and uneven surfaces.
- There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park is for visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
- Parking is not free for all users.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- Clearly presented parking signs are available.
- Payment machines are located at the front of the car park.
- There is not a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop-off point available.
Entrance (Level C - Centre Block - Main Hospital Entrance)
- This entrance is located at the front of the main hospital building.
- The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
- 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 slope at the entrance.
- The slope has a slight gradient.
- There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
- The doors open towards you.
- The width of the opening is 179cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The doors have a medium visual contrast.
- There is a second set of double automatic doors .
- The second set of doors open towards you.
- The width of the opening is 179cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The second set of doors have a medium visual contrast.
- The height of the hand sanitiser after the second set of doors is 105cm.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
- This entrance gives access to level C of the Centre Block.
Getting To (CT Imaging)
- CT Imaging is/are located on Level B of the Oncology Centre.
- Access to CT Imaging is via the main hospital entrance.
- Enter via the main hospital entrance and go straight ahead past the main reception and then past the retail area until you come to the M&S Café. Turn left and follow the corridor past two sets of double doors until you reach the lift lobby of the East Wing. Take one of the lifts to Level B. On exiting the lift turn right and continue to the bottom of the corridor. At the end of the corridor turn right through the double doors and continue to the bottom where the entrance to CT Imaging is situated.
- There is step free access, via lift, to CT Imaging .
- CT Imaging is approximately 152m from the main hospital entrance.
- There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the lift and the department/service.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
- There is some 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.
Stairs (East Wing)
- The stairs surveyed are located along the East Wing corridor, next to the East Wing lift lobby.
- There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
- Levels B, C, D, E, F and G can be accessed by these stairs.
- There are 20+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
- The handrails are easy to grip.
- The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
- The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the highest step is 16cm.
- The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
- Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
Lift (East Wing - Lifts 5, 6 and 7)
- The lift surveyed is located along the left main corridor as you enter via the level C - Centre Block - main hospital entrance, in the East Wing.
- The distance from the level C - Centre Block - main hospital entrance is 94m.
- The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
- Levels B, C, D, E, F and G are accessed by this lift.
- The lift door has a high visual contrast.
- The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
- The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
- All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- The lift door opening width is 130cm.
- The internal dimensions of the lift are 134cm (width) x 160cm (depth).
- The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
- Some of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
- There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.
Entrance (CT Scanning Suite and Radiotherapy Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located on Level B of the Oncology Centre.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is not a hand sanitiser.
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm.
Department / Service
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Department / Service Access
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- CT Imaging Suite is located on Level C of the Oncology Centre.
- There is a/are door(s) leading into the department/service.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 172cm .
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 120cm (3ft 11in).
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- There is level access throughout the department/service.
- There is clear signage on the department/service.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is some flooring in the department/service which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The department/service does not play background music.
- The lighting levels are medium.
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Department / Service Facilities
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- This department/service has; a waiting room/area, treatment rooms, standard toilet facilities, ambulant toilet facilities for everyone, accessible toilet facilities for everyone and a main reception.
- There are 3 consultation/treatment rooms in this department/service.
- A hearing assistance system is not available in the department/service.
- A mobile hoist is not available on the department/service.
- There are accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
- There are standard toilet facilities within this department/service.
Reception
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Reception
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- The reception point is located ahead of the CT Imaging and Radiotherapy entrance.
- The reception point is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the CT Imaging and Radiotherapy 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 no 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 high (110cm+) .
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the counter.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is not a bell to attract attention.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided in the reception area.
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Reception Waiting Area
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- There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
- Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is 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 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 a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Imaging Room (CT)
- This section describes the CT Scanner Room(s), located in the department corridor.
- There is / are 1 CT Scanning Room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; CT Scanner.
- This room is not accessed via a changing room.
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Imaging Room
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- There is step free access into the imaging room.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are easy to open.
- A member of staff is available to assist with opening the door if required.
- The width of the door is 170cm (5ft 7in).
- There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the imaging room.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is a bed / couch.
- The bed / couch is adjustable.
- There is no hoist available.
- There is sufficient space next to the bed/couch for a mobile hoist to operate.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the imaging room.
- The lighting levels in the imaging room are moderate to good.
Imaging Room (Ultrasound)
- This section describes the Ultrasound Room(s), located along the department corridor.
- There is / are 1 Ultrasound Room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Ultrasound.
- This room is not accessed via a changing room.
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Imaging Room
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- There is step free access into the imaging room.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The door(s) is/are easy to open.
- A member of staff is available to assist with opening the door if required.
- The width of the door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the imaging room.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is a bed / couch.
- The bed / couch is adjustable.
- There is no hoist available.
- There is sufficient space next to the bed/couch for a mobile hoist to operate.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the imaging room.
- The lighting levels in the imaging room are moderate to good.
Standard Changing Cubicle / Room
- The changing cubicle/room is located along the department corridor.
- The changing cubicle/room is 14m from the waiting room/area.
- There is step-free access to the changing cubicle/room.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are easy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm.
- The type of flooring in the room is vinyl/laminate.
- There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the cubicle/room.
- There is a bench seating in the cubicle/room.
- There is a/are coat hook(s) available.
- There is a/are coat hook(s) 150cm from the floor.
- There is not an emergency alarm in the changing cubicle/room.
- The lighting levels are good.
Toilet with Adaptations (1)
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located along the department corridor.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the CT Imaging Suite 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 tactile, written text and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is light.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 195cm x 202cm.
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 108cm.
- The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is medium.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the left.
- There is not 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 visual contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) to the left of the toilet and wall is low.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are clinical waste disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 146cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The toilet has a wall which acts as a backrest.
- There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 5in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- 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 110cm (3ft 7in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- 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 right hand side of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- 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 86cm.
- 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 120cm (3ft 11in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is high.
- There is not a hand dryer.
Toilet with Adaptations (2)
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located along the department corridor.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the CT Imaging Suite 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 tactile, written text and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is light.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 87cm.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 193cm x 202cm.
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 116cm.
- The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is medium.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the right.
- There is not a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is not 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) to the right of the toilet and wall is medium.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are clinical waste disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 119cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The toilet has a wall which acts as a backrest.
- There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 5in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- 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 93cm (3ft 1in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can 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 high.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 87cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 129cm (4ft 3in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is high.
- There is not a hand dryer.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Centre Block - Southampton General Hospital link (new tab) - click here.
- Hospital Parking at Southampton General link (new tab) - click here.
