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Midwife-led Birthing Unit

St Michael's Hospital, Southwell Street, Bristol, BS2 8EG

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital (St Michael's Hospital)

  • By Road View
    • St Michael's Hospital is located on Southwell Street, close to the centre of the city.
      The postcode to use for the Sat-Nav is BS2 8EG.
      From the west of the city, St Michael's Hospital can be accessed via several routes from the A370, A369 and the A4.
      From the east of the city the main route to the hospital is from the M32, A4032 and the A4044.
    • On-site parking is very limited and all patients and visitors are encouraged to use public transport or nearby public car parks whenever possible.
      There are various pay & display car parks around the hospital and parking for Blue Badge Holders is free of charge in any of the parking spaces (apart from the 15 minute drop-off spaces) as long as the Blue Badge is correctly displayed.
      There are drop-off spaces located outside the main entrance of St Michael's Hospital.
  • By Bus View
    • Several local bus routes serve the hospital site. They are the 3X, 13, 72, 72a, U1, U1e and the X7.
      The nearest bus stop to the hospital is located on St Michael's Hill.
      There is a free shuttle bus service is provided for patients, staff and visitors which stops outside the Bristol Royal Infirmary Building.
      The circular route includes Bristol Temple Meads train station and around the various hospital sites.
    • There is not an onsite bus stop.
  • By Train View
    • Clifton Down is approximately 0.6 mile (13 minute walk) from the hospital.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance (St Michael's Hospital)

  • To see the hospital map please click here (opens new tab).
  • There is not a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
  • There are not volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are not available.
  • 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 member of staff.
  • Additional hospital services link (new tab) - click here.

Hospital Parking (Blue Badge Bays Only)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
    • The car park is located in front of the hospital main 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 245cm x 480cm (8ft x 15ft 9in).
    • There is 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.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located to the left of the hospital main entrance.
    • There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
    • The dropped kerb does have tactile paving.
  • Paying View
    • There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
  • 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 18m (19yd 2ft) from the hospital main entrance.

Hospital Parking (Pay and Display - Underground)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located below the hospital.
    • The car park type is underground.
    • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
    • The maximum height is 170cm (5ft 7in).
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is concrete.
    • There is not a/are not Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
  • 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 at the payment machines in the car park.
    • Payment machines are located at the front of the car park.
    • There is not 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 not clearly visible from the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the hospital entrance is not clearly signposted.

Hospital Parking (Pay and Display - Front)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located in front of the hospital main 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 not a/are not Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
  • 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 at the payment machines in the car park.
    • Payment machines are located at the front of the car park.
    • There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is not 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 dropped kerbs.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.

Hospital Parking (Pay and Display - Rear)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the hospital.
    • 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 not a/are not Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
  • 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 at the payment machines in the car park.
    • Payment machines are located at the side of the car park.
    • There is not 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 not clearly visible from the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the hospital entrance is not clearly signposted.

Getting To (Midwife-led Birthing Unit)

  • The Midwife-led Birthing Unit is/are located on level E.
  • Access to the Midwife-led Birthing Unit is via the hospital main entrance.
  • Enter via the hospital main entrance and follow the corridor past the main reception desk on your right hand side. Bear left and go through the double doors into the lift lobby area. Take the lift up to level E. As you exit the lift, follow the corridor ahead. The entrance to the shared Midwife-led Birthing Unit, Day Assessment Unit & Physiotherapy’ entrance will be at the end of the corridor.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to the Midwife-led Birthing Unit.
  • The Midwife-led Birthing Unit is approximately 18m from the lifts.
  • There are not resting areas along the route.
  • 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.

Outside Access (Hospital Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the hospital building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 138cm .
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 76cm (2ft 6in).
    • Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 167cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The automatic door(s) is/are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 150cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the hospital main entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • Comments View
    • The height of the assistance button is 58cm.
    • There is tactile paving either side of the slope.

Other Floors (Main Stairs)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are A, B, C, D and E.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 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 both sides.
    • Handrails are not 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.

Lift (Lifts 29 and 31)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located ahead from the hospital main entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 22m (24yd 2in) from the hospital main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are A, B, C, D and E.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do 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 good.
  • The clear door width is 109cm (3ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 192cm x 155cm (6ft 4in x 5ft 1in).
  • 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 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 have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Entrance (Midwife-led Birthing Unit, Day Assessment Unit & Physiotherapy)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on level E.
    • 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 bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • 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) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 172cm.

Reception (Midwife-led Birthing Unit & Day Assessment Unit)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located to the right from the entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the Midwife-led Birthing Unit, Day Assessment Unit & Physiotherapy 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 not trained to use the hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested on 03/08/2021.
    • The hearing assistance system was not working at the time of testing.
    • 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.
  • 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 vinyl/laminate.
    • 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 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 good.

Ward (Midwife-led Birthing Unit)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an Midwife-led Birthing ward.
    • This is a female ward.
    • There is/are 4 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 4 bed(s) on this ward in total.
  • Ward Access View
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in).
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 158cm (5ft 2in).
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • 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 varied.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 120cm.
    • There is a lowered section.
    • The height of the lowered section of the desk is 76cm.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • Relatives' Room View
    • There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
  • Example Side Room View
    • 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 room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
    • Bedside storage is not available.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is good.
    • The lighting levels in the side room are good.
    • The width of the door opening into the ensuite is over 75cm.
    • There is not 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 colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the ensuite is good.
    • The lighting levels in the ensuite are good.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • 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 not available on the ward.
    • There are washroom facilities for patients on the ward.
    • There are toilet facilities for patients on the ward.
    • There is no designated accessible toilet. The nearest designated accessible toilet is located on level C.
  • Visitor Facilities View
    • There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located on level C.
    • There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located on level C.
  • Visiting Times View
    • Visiting times vary, please contact the ward in advance.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located along the Midwife-led Birthing Unit corridor.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 7m from the Midwife-led Birthing Unit entrance.
    • There is pictorial and 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.
    • The toilet seats have a good colour contrast.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
    • There is a/are horizontal wall mounted rail(s) on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The colour contrast of the horizontal wall mounted grab rail(s) in the ambulant cubicle(s) is good.
    • The ambulant toilet does not have vertical wall mounted grab rails.
    • There is a/are dropdown rail(s) on the left as you face the ambulant toilet(s).
    • The colour contrast of the dropdown rail(s) in the ambulant cubicle(s) is good.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 85cm.
    • 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 good.

Standard Toilet(s) (Reception)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located next to the reception desk.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 4m from the Midwife-led Birthing Unit, Day Assessment Unit & Physiotherapy entrance.
    • There is pictorial and 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.
    • Some toilet seats have a good colour contrast.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 83cm.
    • 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 good.

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