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.
Getting To (Ultrasound)
- Ultrasound is/are located on Level C of the Centre Block.
- Access to Ultrasound 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 along and the entrance to X-Ray, MRI, CT and Ultrasound is on the left.
- There is step free access to Ultrasound.
- Ultrasound is approximately 83m from the main hospital entrance.
- There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the main hospital entrance 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.
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.
Entrance (Main X-Ray, Ultrasound, MRI and CT Scanning Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located on Level C of the Centre Block.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 119cm (3ft 11in).
- 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 permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 170cm.
Department / Service (Ultrasound)
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Department / Service Access
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- Ultrasound is located on Level C of the Centre Block.
- There is a/are door(s) leading into the department/service.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm .
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 110cm (3ft 7in).
- 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 flooring in the department/service which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is some 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 waiting room/area, a main reception, standard toilet facilities and consultation rooms.
- There are 6 consultation/treatment rooms in this department/service.
- A hearing assistance system is not available in the department/service.
- A mobile hoist is available on the department/service.
- There are not accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
- Accessible toilet facilities are located on Level C of the Centre Block.
- There are standard toilet facilities within this department/service.
Reception
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Reception
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- The reception point is located to the right as you enter.
- The reception point is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the X-Ray 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 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.
- 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 not 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 2m from the X-Ray, MRI, CT and Ultrasound 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.
- All chairs are permanently fixed.
- Chairs with armrests are not available.
- Announcements are in person.
- The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is 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 (4)
- This section describes the Ultrasound Room(s), located within Ultrasound on Level C.
- There is / are 6 Ultrasound Room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; 4.
- 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 single width with an open extension leaf.
- 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 133cm (4ft 4in).
- 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.
- A mobile hoist can be brought in from another department.
- 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 a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the imaging room.
- The lighting levels in the imaging room are good.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female and male toilets are located along the corridor of the main X-Ray, Ultrasound, MRI and CT Scanning area.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 10m from the Main X-Ray, Ultrasound, MRI and CT Scanning 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.
- It was not possible to access the female toilet.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 86cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
- Lighting levels are good.
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.
