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AAU (Acute Assessment Unit)

West Suffolk Hospital, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmonds, IP33 2QZ

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Acute Assessment Unit)

  • The most accessible route from the main entrance Blue Badge Bays has slight ramps or slopes, uneven surfaces, a dropped kerb with tactile paving and a pedestrian crossing.
  • View further information about parking at the hospital (opens new tab).
  • Access to the Acute Assessment Unit is via the Main Entrance.
  • There is a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • View further information about entrances (opens new tab).
  • The Acute Assessment Unit is located on the ground floor of the hospital, within the green zone.
  • The Acute Assessment Unit is approximately 140m from the Main Entrance.
  • Enter the hospital via the Main Entrance and go straight ahead past the reception desk.
  • Follow the main hospital corridor to the end and turn left.
  • Continue along this corridor following it around to the right.
  • Proceed along this corridor to the Acute Assessment Unit and Same Day Emergency Care Entrance located on the left.
  • Enter and continue to the very end of this corridor and the entrance to the Acute Assessment Unit is located on the left.
  • Internally the most accessible route has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • Some flooring along the route is shiny.
  • There are resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The following toilet facilities are available along the route; a changing places facility, a toilet with adaptations (with left hand transfer), a toilet with adaptations (with right hand transfer) and standard toilets.
  • View information about accessible toilet facilities in public areas (opens new tab).
  • View more information on getting to and around the hospital (opens new tab).

Hospital Parking (Main Entrance Blue Badge Bays)

  • 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 at the front of the hospital, in front of 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 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 231cm x 523cm (7ft 7in x 17ft 2in).
    • 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 not a designated drop-off point.
  • 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 dropped kerbs.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the hospital.
    • 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.
    • There are bollards outside this entrance.
    • The minimum width between the bollards/wall is 194cm.
    • The bollard(s) has/have a high visual contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not 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 123cm (4ft).
    • 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 single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 143cm.
    • 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 174cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
  • Comments View
    • There is also an automatic door on the right side of the canopy.
    • The door is 143cm wide and has a slight slope in front.

Entrance (Acute Assessment Unit and Same Day Emergency Care Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on the ground floor of the hospital, within the green zone.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 140cm.
  • The height of the hand sanitiser is 141cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The doors require effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 172cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 122cm.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors.
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The doors require effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 174cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Ward (Acute Assessment Unit)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is an Acute Assessment Unit ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There are 4 bays available.
    • There are 3 side rooms available.
    • There are 20+ beds in total on the ward.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is no signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this ward.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 140cm.
    • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
    • The doors are permanently held open.
    • The doors require effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 175cm.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • Reception / Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the desk is 110cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the desk.
    • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
    • The desk has a television, windows and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • Seating available on the ward includes: chairs without armrests.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is a relatives' room for the ward.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: toilets with adaptations.
    • The nearest toilet with adaptations for visitors is located on the ground floor of the hospital, within the green zone.
  • Visiting Hours View
    • Visiting times vary, please contact the ward in advance.

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Acute Assessment Unit)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 4 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located within the bays.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.

Room (Relatives Room)

  • The room is located along the corridor that is in between the Acute Assessment Unit and Same Day Emergency Care Entrance first and second door.
  • The distance from the Acute Assessment Unit entrance is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 84cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • Furniture can be moved to enable a manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests and armchairs.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
  • The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located within bay 4.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 138cm (width) x 221cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 69cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 92cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 79cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 92cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 138cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.