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) .
Hospital Parking (West Wing Entrance)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car park is located opposite the West Wing 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 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 330cm x 440cm (10ft 10in x 14ft 5in).
- There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is a designated drop-off point.
- The drop-off point is located to the left as you face the West Wing entrance.
- There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
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Paying
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- There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
- Payment signs are not provided.
- Payment signs are located at the payment machines in the car park.
- Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
- Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
- Payment machines are located at the side of the car park.
- There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
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Access to the Hospital
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- 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 24m (26yd 9in) from the West Wing entrance.
Getting To (Outpatients Department Level E)
- Outpatients Department Level E is/are located on Level E of the West Wing.
- Access to Outpatients Department Level E is via the West Wing entrance.
- Enter via the West Wing entrance, go forward and follow the corridor all the way to the lift lobby. Use one of the lifts located on the right and go to Level E. Upon exiting the lift, turn left and the Outpatients Department Level E will be located directly ahead.
- There is step free access, via lift, to Outpatients Department Level E.
- Outpatients Department Level E is approximately 5m from the lifts.
- There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the West Wing entrance and the department/service.
- Wayfinding signage is 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.
Entrance (Level B - West Wing Entrance)
- This entrance is located on the right hand side as you face 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 ramp at the entrance.
- The ramp has a slight gradient.
- The ramp is over 150cm wide with a handrail on the left going up.
- There is also a steep ramp to the left of the entrance with a handrail on the right going up.
- There is an intercom at a height of 131cm.
- There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
- The doors are permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 141cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The doors have a high visual contrast.
- There is a second set of double automatic doors .
- The second set of doors open by sliding.
- The width of the opening is 217cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
- This entrance gives access to level B of the West Wing.
Stairs (West Wing)
- The stairs surveyed are located off the Centre Block/West 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 do not 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 even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
Lift (Centre Block/West Wing - Lifts 17, 18 and 19)
- The lift surveyed is located ahead and along the right main corridor as you enter via the level C - Centre Block - main hospital entrance.
- The distance from the level C - Centre Block - main hospital entrance is 65m.
- 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, Braille 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 136cm (width) x 161cm (depth).
- The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a low visual contrast.
- The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- Internally the lift has: a hearing assistance alarm system, 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.
Opening Times (Outpatient Department Level E)
- Monday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Tuesday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Wednesday 08:30 - 20:00.
- Thursday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Friday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Entrance (Outpatient Department Level E)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located on the Level E corridor of the West Wing.
- 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) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 168cm.
Reception (Outpatient Department Level E)
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Reception
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- The reception point is located ahead and to the left after entering the department.
- The reception point is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the Outpatient Department Level E 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 a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
- The hearing assistance was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
- The hearing assistance system was tested on 18/07/2019.
- The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
- There is a touch screen.
- Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are provided in the reception area.
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Reception Waiting Area
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- There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.
Waiting Room / Area
- There is a waiting room / area.
- The waiting room / area is approximately 26m from the Outpatient Department Level E entrance.
- There is level access into the waiting room / area.
- There is not a/are not door(s) into the waiting room / area.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs with armrests are available.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Announcements are in person.
- 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 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 bright.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Consulting Room 7)
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Consulting Room 7.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are light.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is a bed / couch.
- The bed / couch is adjustable.
- A hoist can be brought in from another department.
- There is sufficient space next to the bed/couch for a mobile hoist to operate.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is not/are not adjustable.
- There are some chairs with armrests available.
- All tables are permanently fixed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Department / Service (Outpatient Department Level E)
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Department / Service Access
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- Outpatient Department Level E is located on Level E of the West Wing.
- 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 flooring in the department/service which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is flooring in the department/service which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes 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 main reception, a waiting room/area, accessible toilet facilities for everyone, ambulant toilet facilities for everyone, consultation rooms and standard toilet facilities.
- There are 9 consultation/treatment rooms in this department/service.
- A hearing assistance system is available.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- The hearing assistance was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
- The hearing assistance system was tested on 18/07/2019.
- The hearing loop was working at the time of testing.
- 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.
Toilet with Adaptations (Outpatient Department Level E - Left Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the Outpatient Department Level E corridor.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 46m from the Outpatient Department Level E 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, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is easy to open.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 265cm (4ft 11in x 8ft 8in).
- The accessible toilet does 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 left.
- The lateral transfer space is 80cm.
- 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 high.
- 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 high.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency alarm is fully functional.
- There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are pedal bin disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- There are coat hooks in the toilet at 105cm and 140cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a backrest and a cistern.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- 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 108cm (3ft 7in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
- 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).
- The height of the wash basin is 73cm (2ft 5in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides 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 98cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is high.
- There is not a hand dryer.
Standard Toilet(s) (Outpatient Department Level E)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The shared toilet is located at the rear of the Outpatient Department Level E corridor.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 47m from the Outpatient Department Level E entrance.
- There is tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- The colour contrast between the internal toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- The toilet seats have a high visual contrast.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
- There is a/are horizontal wall mounted rail(s) on the left as you face the toilet.
- The visual contrast of the horizontal wall mounted grab rail(s) in the ambulant cubicle(s) is high.
- There is a/are vertical wall mounted rail(s) on the right as you face the toilet.
- The visual contrast of the vertical wall mounted grab rails in the ambulant cubicle(s) is high.
- There is a/are dropdown rail(s) on the right as you face the ambulant toilet(s).
- The visual contrast of the dropdown rail(s) in the ambulant cubicle(s) is high.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 70cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The wall fixed soap dispenser is located above the wash basin.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- West Wing - Southampton General Hospital link (new tab) - click here.
- Hospital Parking at Southampton General link (new tab) - click here.
