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PALS

Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Crownhill, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 8DH

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Access Guide

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Getting To (PALS)

Hospital Parking (Blue Badge Parking 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 to the right of the main hospital 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 and signposted.
    • There is/are 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 251cm x 490cm (8ft 2in x 16ft 0in).
    • There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
    • 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 at the end of car park F that is closest to the hospital main entrance.
    • There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
  • Paying View
  • 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 clearly signposted.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 73m (239ft) from the Level 6 Zone A - Main Entrance.
    • There are 2 dementia friendly spaces within the car park.
    • The drop-off waiting time is limited to 30 minutes.
    • There are weather-protection shelters by the drop-off points.
    • This car park is the taxi drop off point for the main entrance.
    • Please note, due to ongoing building works at the hospital, this may affect parking and drop-off points.

Outside Access (Level 6 Zone A - Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the main hospital building.
    • There is not a drop-off point at this entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not 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 not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 103cm (3ft 4in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 86cm (2ft 9in) .
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • 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 147cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 157cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading up to the entrance, as well as in between the first and second set of doors.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are moderate to good.
  • Lift Details View
    • There is a taxi pick up point at this entrance.
    • This entrance is open between the hours of 06:00 and 21:00.
    • After these hours, a security guard lets people in and out.
    • This entrance gives access to Level 6 Zone A of the main hospital building.
    • Please note, due to ongoing building works at the hospital, this may affect parking and drop-off points near this entrance.

Department / Service (PALS)

  • Department / Service Access View
    • PALS is located on Level 6 of the main hospital building.
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the department/service.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The automatic door(s) is/are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 142cm.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 93cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is level access throughout the department/service.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • 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 moderate to good.
  • Department / Service Facilities View
    • This department/service has; a main reception and a waiting room/area.
    • A hearing assistance system is available.
    • The type of system is a portable loop.
    • Staff are trained to use the system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested on 03/09/2024.
    • The hearing assistance system was not working at the time of testing.
    • There are not accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the main hospital corridor.
    • There are not standard toilet facilities within this department/service.
    • Standard toilet facilities are located on the main hospital corridor.

Reception (PALS)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located straight ahead when entering the office.
    • The reception point is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the PALS 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 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 a hearing assistance system.
    • The type of system is a portable loop.
    • The hearing assistance system is signed.
    • Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested on 03/09/2024.
    • 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 are two seater sofas and armchairs.
    • Some 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 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.