Access Guide
Getting To The Hospital
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By Road
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- Royal Surrey County Hospital is situated just off the A3. Take the exit signed to the Cathedral and the University. The hospital is clearly signposted from all directions of travel.
- Parking on the hospital site can be busy so it is worth leaving some extra time to ensure that you are not late for your appointment. There is a free 20 minute pick up and drop off point at the front of the hospital and Blue Badge bays are available next to all entrances. Visitors and patients now have three payment options: Option 1 –Check in/Check out (pay by card) Option 2 – Pay and Display (pay by cash or card) Option 3 – Pay by Mobile App (using the ‘Waytopark’ app) For Option 1 and Option 2, please visit the Pay Machine and select either ‘Check in/Check out’ or ‘Pay and Display’ and then follow the instructions on screen. The Check in/Check out option means that you pay on exit which can be an advantage if you are not entirely sure how long you will need to park. Please note that there are car parking signs providing full instructions if required.
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By Bus
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- There is a service provided by Safeguard Buses that goes to the hospital from the Town Centre via the train station departing every seven or eight minutes. You will need to catch Route Five to the hospital and Route Four back into Guildford Town Centre. The buses run at different frequencies at weekends and on public bank holidays. Also available: Arriva No.16/26 (via Fairlands/Woodstreet Circular) Arriva No. 17/27 (via Rydes Hill/Grange Park) A return to Guildford picks up directly outside the Main Hospital Entrance (Bus stop HT1).
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By Train
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- The nearest station is Guildford. The station is on the main line between London Waterloo and Portsmouth, with Reading and Dorking connections. A fast, frequent service is available with trains running approximately every 20 minutes. For further information contact the 24 hour Passenger Information line on 08457 48 49 50. From the train station it is possible to travel to the hospital either by bus or taxi.
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Useful Links
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- Surrey County Council – Bus Routes.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- National Rail.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance
- There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
- The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located in the main foyer.
- The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 01483 402 757.
- The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is [email protected].
- There are volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
- Volunteers can be found in the Main Hospital foyer.
- Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, Makaton on request and different languages on request.
- There is an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
- The assistance dog toilet or toileting area is located at the front of the hospital.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are 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.
- There is a Changing Places facility at this hospital which is located on level B.
- The wheelchairs are located at the Main Hospital Entrance.
Hospital Parking (Main Car Park)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car park is located opposite the 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 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 247cm x 480cm (8ft 1in x 15ft 9in).
- 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.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is a designated drop-off point.
- The drop-off point is located in front of the main hospital entrance.
- There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
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Paying
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- 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, throughout the car park and at the payment machines in the hospital building.
- Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- Payment machines are located inside the hospital building and throughout the car park.
- 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 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 40m (43yd 2ft) from the Main Hospital entrance.
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Comments
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- There is a long, steep ramp from the car park to the hospital main entrance.
- The first half of the ramp has a handrail on the left as you go down and the second half has the handrail on the right.
Getting To (Millbridge Ward and Merrow Ward - Coronary Care Unit (CCU))
- Millbridge Ward and Merrow Ward - Coronary Care Unit (CCU) is/are located on level E of the East Wing.
- Access to Millbridge Ward and Merrow Ward - Coronary Care Unit (CCU) is via the Main Hospital Entrance.
- Enter via the Main Hospital Entrance and proceed straight. Continue past reception located on the right of the foyer. Bear right and proceed down to the end of the corridor. Take the East Wing lifts to level E. On exiting the lifts turn right and Millbridge Ward and Merrow Ward - Coronary Care Unit (CCU) is located straight ahead.
- There is step free access, via lift, to Millbridge Ward and Merrow Ward - Coronary Care Unit (CCU).
- Millbridge Ward and Merrow Ward - Coronary Care Unit (CCU) is approximately 9m from the East Wing lifts.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- There is 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.
Outside Access (Main Hospital Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- There is a drop-off point at this entrance.
- 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/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 138cm (4ft 6in).
- 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 101cm.
- 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 width of the door opening is 187cm.
Other Floors (East Wing Stairs)
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Stairs
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- 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 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 at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do 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 provided on landings.
- The lighting levels are good.
Lift (East Wing Lifts)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located in the East Wing.
- Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 86m (94yd 2in) from the Main Hospital 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,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 low.
- The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
- The clear door width is 129cm (4ft 3in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 161cm x 286cm (5ft 3in x 9ft 5in).
- 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 not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is good.
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Comments
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- There are 4 lifts in this area, 3 for public use and 1 for authorised persons only.
Ward (Merrow Ward)
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Ward Information
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- This is a/an Cardiology ward.
- This is a shared ward.
- There is/are 3 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 6 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 24 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 permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 169cm (5ft 7in).
- 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 medium.
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Reception/Nurses' Station
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- The height of the ward reception desk is 114cm.
- 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.
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Ward Features and Patient Facilities
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- 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 the ground floor in the Main Hospital foyer.
- There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located on the ground floor in the Main Hospital foyer.
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Visiting Times
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- There are set visiting times for the ward.
- Visiting times are 15:00 to 17:00 and 18:00 to 20:00.
- The visiting times are the same for each day.
- Protected meal times are between 12:30 to 13:30.
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Comments
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- There is one bay for the Coronary Care Unit (CCU).
Washroom (Shower)
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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 1 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This washroom is interchangeable between male and female.
- There is pictorial and written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
- The washroom door(s) open(s) inwards.
- 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 247cm x 210cm (8ft 1in 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 not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is a/are coat hook(s) 167cm 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 84cm.
- There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the wash basin.
- 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 99cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 121cm.
- 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 45cm (1ft 6in).
- The toilet has a lid obstructing the back rest/cistern/wall.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 71cm.
- There is a flush 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 the left.
- 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 110cm.
- 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 head is height adjustable.
- The shower control type is twist/turn.
- There is no seat for the shower.
- 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 colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is high.
- The colour 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 toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- The colour contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Royal Surrey County Hospital Main Building link (new tab) - click here.
- Royal Surrey County Hospital Parking Guide link (new tab) - click here.
- Millbridge Ward link (new tab) - click here.