Access Guide
Getting To The Hospital
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By Road
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- The West Suffolk Hospital is located to the south of Bury St. Edmunds Town Centre. It is within easy access of the A14 (westerly or easterly direction). Please also note that car parking at West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St. Edmunds can be very difficult at busy times of the day.
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By Bus
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- The main bus station is in St Andrew's Street North, a few minutes walk from the town centre. Mulley's Bus Company runs the M11/M22 bus service from here to the hospital and return. Currently this runs at hourly intervals at 10 minutes past the hour arriving at the hospital at 27 minutes past. Stephenson's Bus Company runs the Bury St Edmunds Town Breeze Service from here to the hospital and return. Currently this runs at half hourly intervals, at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour arriving at the hospital at 25 and 55 minutes past.
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By Train
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- The railway station is on Station Hill (Tel: 01284 484950), about 1 mile from the town centre and 2 miles from the hospital. There are at least five train services daily between Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich and Cambridge. The journey time for either is approximately 45 minutes. There is a bus service from the station which runs to the main bus station in St Andrew's Street North, with connecting services to the hospital. There is also a taxi rank outside the station, and further taxi offices on Station Hill.
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 to the left as you enter the main hospital entrance.
- There are volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
- Volunteers can be found at main reception.
- There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
- Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
- To obtain mobility aids please contact main reception.
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Comments
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- Disability awareness training can be provided for staff.
- The most commonly used documents can be produced in different formats on request.
- Different formats may include Braille, large print, audio and different languages.
- British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
- A member of staff generally on duty is trained to level 2.
- Language interpreters can be provided on request.
- The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) can provide advice and support for accessing these services.
- They can be contacted on 01284 712555 or by visiting the office in the main reception area.
- Registered assistance dogs are generally welcomed in all areas although departments with high risk from infection, such as wards and intensive care units, should be contacted in advance.
- Help with luggage is available for inpatients.
- The mobility aids available in the hospital include mobile hoists, wheelchairs, motorised wheelchairs, tri wheel walkers, shower chairs, bath hoists, commodes, walking sticks, walking frames, hoist slings, adjustable beds and crutches.
Hospital Parking (Main Visitor Parking)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car park is located in front 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 have a barrier control system.
- The barrier controls/touchscreen can be reached from the car.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is not a/are not Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- 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 393 cm x 460cm.
- There is not 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 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 provided.
- Payment signs are clearly presented.
- Payment signs are located at the entrance to the car park, at the payment machines in the car park and at the payment machines in the hospital building.
- Payment machines are located inside the hospital building and at the front of the car park.
- There is 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).
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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 45m (49yd 8in) from the hospital main entrance.
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Comments
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- The car park is run with an ANPR system.
- Visitors will need their registration number to enter into one of the machines around the trust, make a payment, and the barriers on the exit road will automatically open.
- For more information on hospital parking please see the Car Parking Information guide.
Hospital Parking (Blue Badge Parking and Drop Off Point)
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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 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 clearly marked/signposted Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
- There is/are 36 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 350cm x 510cm.
- 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 next to the Accident and Emergency entrance at the front of the hospital.
- 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 entrance to the car park, at the payment machines in 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 not free for Blue Badge holders.
- Payment machines are located inside the hospital building and at the front of the car park.
- There is 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).
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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 clearly visible from the car park.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main hospital entrance.
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Comments
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- For more information on hospital parking please see the Car Parking Information guide.
Getting To (DVT and Warfarin Clinic)
- The DVT and Warfarin Clinic is/are located on the first floor in Area 30 of the Orange Zone.
- Access to the DVT and Warfarin Clinic is via the main hospital entrance.
- Enter via the main hospital entrance and go straight ahead. Turn left at the end of the corridor and take the lift to the first floor. Turn right as you exit the lift and continue straight to the end of the corridor. At the end of the corridor turn left and continue ahead. Cardiology is located on the left.
- There is step free access, via lift, to the DVT and Warfarin Clinic.
- The DVT and Warfarin Clinic is approximately 88m from the lift.
- There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the lift and the department/service.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
- There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
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Comments
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- Contact phone numbers are as follows:
- West Suffolk Hospital anticoagulant clinic: 01284 713088
- Deep Vein Thrombosis clinic: 01284 713092.
Outside Access (Main Hospital Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the hospital.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open automatically.
- The doors are single width.
- The door opening is 144cm (4ft 9in) wide.
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Second set of doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open automatically.
- The doors are double width.
- The door opening is 174cm (5ft 9in) wide.
Level Change (Main Hospital Entrance)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The ramp or slope is permanent.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting level is medium.
Lift (Main corridor)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located in the main corridor.
- The lift is approximately 40m (43yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 130cm (4ft 3in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 150cm x 245cm (4ft 11in x 8ft).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is good.
Opening Times
- Monday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Tuesday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Wednesday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Thursday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Friday 08:30 - 16:30.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Outside Access (DVT and Warfarin Clinic Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located on the first floor of the hospital.
- There is level access into the venue.
- Level access is via lift.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 168cm (5ft 6in).
Reception
- The desk/counter is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the DVT and Warfarin Clinic entrance.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The desk/counter is staffed.
- The lighting levels are medium.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The hearing system is available only on request.
- The type of system is a portable loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- There is not a prescription box.
- There is not a bell to attract attention.
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the desk/counter.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system is available only on request.
- The system is a portable loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- This venue does play background music.
- The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate and wood.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Waiting Room / Area
- There is a waiting room / area.
- The waiting room / area is approximately 2m from the DVT and Warfarin Clinic 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 and wood.
- Some chairs are permanently fixed.
- All chairs have armrests.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Announcements are in person.
- The waiting room / area does have background music playing.
- 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 medium.
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Comments
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- A touch screen patient check in point is located in the waiting room.
- The controls are within 120cm from the floor.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Echoes Room 3)
- There is / are 3 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Echoes Room 3.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is a bed / couch.
- The bed / couch is adjustable.
- A hoist is available.
- The hoist is manual.
- A sling is available.
- The sling is attached by hook and loop.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is not/are not adjustable.
- All chairs have armrests available.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Consultation / Treatment Room (DVT)
- There is / are 2 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; DVT.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 84cm (2ft 9in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is a bed / couch.
- The bed / couch is adjustable.
- A hoist can be brought in from another department.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is not/are not adjustable.
- All chairs have armrests available.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Toilet with Adaptations
- The nearest accessible toilet is located in the main hospital corridor.
Standard Toilet(s)
- The nearest standard toilets are located in the main hospital corridor.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Main Hospital Entrance link (new tab) - click here.