Access Guide
Getting To (Emergency Decisions Unit)
- The Emergency Decisions Unit is located on level 1 of the Balmoral Building.
- The Emergency Decisions Unit is approximately 107m from the Balmoral lifts.
- From the car park, cross the road using the pedestrian crossing and the hospital entrance will be directly ahead of you.
- View further information about parking at the hospital (opens new tab)
- Access to the Emergency Decisions Unit is via the Windsor Building - Havelock Street North West entrance.
- Enter the hospital via the Windsor Building - Havelock Street North West Entrance and immediately turn left.
Follow the main hospital corridor to the end then turn right into the lift lobby.
Take a lift to level 1.
On exiting the lift turn left, then turn right and follow the corridor to the end.
Turn right and go through the double doors.
Follow the Corridor and take the first right.
The Emergency Decisions Unit will then be located on the left. - View further information about entrances (opens new tab)
- There is step free access, via lift, to the Emergency Decisions Unit.
- The most accessible route includes manual doors which may be difficult to open.
- Some flooring is shiny .
- There are resting areas along the route.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
- The following toilet facilities are available along the route; accessible toilet (with left hand transfer).
- View information about accessible toilet facilities in public areas (opens new tab).
- View information on getting to and around the hospital (opens new tab)
Hospital Parking (Accessible Parking - West of Windsor Building)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
- The car park is located at the west side of the Windsor Building.
- 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 230cm x 460cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 1in).
- 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 not a designated drop-off point.
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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 hospital building.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- Payment machines are located inside the hospital building.
- Payment machines are located next to the car parks office in the Windsor building.
- There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
- To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
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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 unaided.
- The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 22m (24yd 2in) from the Windsor Building - Havelock Street north-west entrance.
Outside Access (Windsor Building - Havelock Street North-West Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located on the north-west side of the Windsor Building.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is step free 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 hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 125cm (4ft 1in).
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 119cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 166cm.
Lift (Balmoral Building - Main Wide Lifts)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located along the main Balmoral Building corridor.
- Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 28m (30yd 1ft) from the Havelock Street 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 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
- 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 visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
- The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
- The clear door width is 130cm (4ft 3in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 147cm x 260cm (4ft 10in x 8ft 6in).
- 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 not 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 not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is good.
Entrance (Acute Assessment Units and ED X-Ray)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located on level 1 of the Balmoral Building.
- 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) 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 146cm.
Reception (Emergency Decisions Unit)
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Reception
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- The reception point is located on the corridor just outside the unit entrance.
- The reception point is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the Emergency Decisions Unit entrance.
- Clear signage for the reception area/desk is not 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 moderate to good.
- The height of the reception counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- 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 not a waiting area close to the reception point.
Ward (Emergency Decisions Unit)
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Ward Information
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- This is a/an short stay ward.
- This is a shared ward.
- There is/are 4 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 0 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 12 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) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 163cm (5ft 4in).
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 111cm (3ft 8in).
- 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 good.
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Reception/Nurses' Station
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- The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 100cm.
- There is not a lowered section.
- 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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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 not available on the ward.
- There are washroom facilities for patients on the ward.
- There are toilet facilities for patients 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 1 of the Balmoral Building, near reception.
- There are standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
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Visiting Times
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- There are set visiting times for the ward.
- Visiting times are 11:00-20:00.
- The visiting times are the same for each day.
- Protected meal times are between 08:00-09:00, 12:00-13:00 and 17:00-18:00.
Waiting Room / Area (Chair Bay)
- There is a waiting room / area.
- The waiting room / area is approximately 9m from the Emergency Decisions Unit 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.
- The surface height of the lowest table is 41cm.
- The tables do contrast visually with the floor.
- There is not ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The manoeuvring space is obstructed by the table.
- Announcements are in person.
- 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 a television.
- Subtitles are available.
- 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 good.
Waiting Room / Area (Sub Wait 1)
- There is a waiting room / area.
- The waiting room / area is approximately 24m from the Emergency Decisions Unit 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 not a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- All chairs have armrests.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The surface height of the lowest table is 46cm.
- The tables do contrast visually with the floor.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Announcements are in person.
- 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 not available.
- There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
- There is not space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
Washroom (Ward Bay 4 - Shower Room)
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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 4 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
- The washroom surveyed is located in ward bay 4.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This washroom is shared.
- There is pictorial, written or text and dementia friendly signage on or near the washroom door.
- The washroom door(s) open(s) sliding.
- The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 92cm (3ft).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 176cm x 190cm (5ft 9in x 6ft 3in).
- The washroom does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There are coat hooks at 105cm and 140cm 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the wash basin is 79cm.
- As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
- The tap type is twist/turn. It is not 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 133cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- There is a/are female sanitary and pedal bin disposal units.
- 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 49cm (1ft 7in).
- There is a rail with a padded back rest.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 109cm.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- 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 93cm.
- There is not a shelf 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 height is fixed.
- The shower control type is lever.
- A shower chair is available.
- The height of the flip-down/tip-up or fixed seat is 46cm (1ft 6in).
- 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 medium.
- The visual contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is medium.
- The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the right of the toilet 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.
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Comments
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- The transfer space is obstructed by the shower chair.
Standard Toilet(s) (in Sub-Wait 1)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The shared toilet is located in the sub-wait 1 waiting area.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 27m from the Emergency Decisions Unit entrance.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is medium.
- The colour contrast between the internal toilet door(s) and wall(s) is medium.
- The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- Toilet seats do not have a high visual 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 visual contrast of the horizontal wall mounted grab rail(s) in the ambulant cubicle(s) is high.
- There are vertical wall mounted rails on both sides of the toilet.
- The visual contrast of the vertical wall mounted grab rails in the ambulant cubicle(s) is high.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 81cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The wall fixed soap dispenser is located to the left of the wash basin.
- Lighting levels are good.
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Comments
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- Despite the signage, this toilet can also be used by visitors.
