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.
Parking (Blue Car Park)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located at the rear of the main hospital building, off Tremona Road.
- The car park is open air/surface.
- The car park surface consists of tarmac.
- There are 15+ designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
- The Blue Badge bays have faded markings.
- The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 295cm (width) x 482cm (depth).
- There is a marked zone to one side and the rear.
- The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
- The nearest designated bay is 115m from the level A - South Academic Block entrance.
- The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight ramp or slope, uneven surfaces and bollards.
- There is additional overflow parking located outside Compton House along the hospital perimeter road.
Patients parking at this car park can enter the main hospital building via the Wessex Neurological Centre entrance or the South Academic Block entrance.
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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).
- The payment machine is located on a steep slope from the car park.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop-off point available.
Getting To (Ward D10)
- Ward D10 is/are located on Level D of the Centre Block.
- Access to Ward D10 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 the lift up to Level D.
As you exit the lift turn left and go through the double doors. The entrance to Ward D10 is on your left. - There is step free access, via lift, to Ward D10.
- Ward D10 is approximately 6m from the lifts.
- There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the Main Hospital entrance and the department/service.
- Wayfinding signage is not 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.
Stairs (Centre Block)
- The stairs surveyed are located along the left main corridor as you enter via the level C - Centre Block - main hospital entrance, next to the M&S Café.
- 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 not between 30cm and 45cm.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with 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.
Ward (Ward D10)
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Ward Information
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- This is a/an Isolation ward.
- This is a shared ward.
- There is/are 1 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 15 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 18 bed(s) on this ward in total.
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Ward Access
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- There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
- 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 170cm (5ft 7in).
- There is a bell/buzzer.
- The height of the bell/buzzer is 142cm (4ft 8in).
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is a door release button when exiting.
- The height of the door release button is 113cm (3ft 8in).
- There is level access throughout the ward.
- There is clear signage on the ward.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is some flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Reception/Nurses' Station
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- The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 77cm.
- There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
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Relatives' Room
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- There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
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Example Side Room
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- There are multiple side rooms available with accessible ensuites.
- The side room surveyed does 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 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 visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is high.
- The lighting levels in the side room are moderate to good.
- The width of the door opening into the ensuite is over 75cm.
- There is a clear unobstructed turning space within the ensuite.
- The fixtures/facilities available in the ensuite include; a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- The visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the ensuite is high.
- The lighting levels in the ensuite are medium.
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Ward Features and Patient Facilities
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- 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.
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Visitor Facilities
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- There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located on Level C of the East Wing along the main corridor.
- There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located on Level D of the East Wing along the main corridor.
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Visiting Times
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- There are set visiting times for the ward.
- Visiting times are 10:00 to 20:00.
- The visiting times are the same for each day.
- Protected meal times are between 08:00 to 09:30 and 12:00 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 18:00.
Washroom (Red Room 1)
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Washroom Details
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- The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- There is/are 16 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
- The washroom surveyed is located in Red Room 1.
- The washroom surveyed is approximately 32m from the ward entrance.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This washroom is shared.
- There is tactile, pictorial and 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 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 285cm x 210cm (9ft 4in x 6ft 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 a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is a/are coat hook(s) 151cm from the floor.
- 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 77cm.
- As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- The tap type is lever. It is a mixer tap.
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 113cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 115cm.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
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Toilet Details
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- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The cistern is close coupled and can act as a back rest.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 220cm.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
- There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the toilet.
- 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 98cm.
- There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
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Shower Details
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- There is a wheel in shower.
- The shower does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The shower control type is twist/turn.
- A shower chair is available.
- There are wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
- The visual contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is high.
- The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- The visual contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is high.
- The visual contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
Toilet with Adaptations
- There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
- The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located in the washrooms.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are not available.
- The nearest standard toilet(s) is/are located in the washrooms.
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.
