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.
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.
Getting To (ENT)
- ENT is/are located on the ground floor in area 18a of the Blue Zone.
- Access to ENT is via the main hospital entrance.
- When entering the hospital turn right and go through the outpatients entrance. Continue straight and turn left at the end of the corridor. ENT is located ahead and on the right of the corridor.
- There is step free access to ENT.
- ENT is approximately 50m from the main hospital entrance.
- There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the main hospital entrance and the department/service.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
- There is flooring in corridors with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
- There is flooring in corridors with large, repeating patterns that incorporate bold contrasting colours or simulate steps.
Opening Times
- Monday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Thursday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Friday 09:00 - 17:00.
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Comments
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- The department is open some Saturdays.
- Please contact the venue for details..
Outside Access (Outpatients Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor of the hospital.
- There is level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open away from you (push).
- The doors are double width.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The door opening is 152cm (4ft 12in) wide.
Outside Access (Rear ENT Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor of the hospital.
- There is level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open away from you (push).
- The doors are double width.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The door opening is 152cm (4ft 12in) wide.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The hearing system is available only on request.
- The system is a portable loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Customers cannot charge scooters or wheelchairs at the venue.
- Route finding signage is available.
- The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl.
Waiting Room / Area
- There is a waiting room / area.
- The waiting room / area is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the entrance.
- There is level access into the waiting room / area.
- There are not doors into the waiting room / area.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The type of flooring is vinyl.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- All chairs have armrests.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Information is available in large print, large print on request and different languages.
- Information in other languages and formats is available on request.
- Announcements are in person.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a television.
- Vending machines are not available.
- There is not a children's play area.
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Consultation / Treatment Room
- There are 10 consultation/treatment rooms available.
- The room surveyed was ENT Consulting Room.
- The consultation / treatment room is 33m (36yd) from the entrance .
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There are doors into the consultation / treatment room.
- The main doors open away from you (push).
- The doors are single width.
- The doors are light.
- The door opening is 84cm (2ft 9in) wide.
- The type of flooring is vinyl.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is a bed / couch.
- A hoist is not available.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair is not adjustable.
- No chairs with armrests available.
- A flashing alarm is not available.
- A vibrating alarm is not available.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Consultation / Treatment Room
- There are 10 consultation/treatment rooms available.
- The room surveyed was Sound Test Room.
- The consultation / treatment room is 40m (43yd 2ft) from the entrance.
- There is not level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There are doors into the consultation / treatment room.
- The main doors open towards you (pull).
- The doors are single width.
- The doors are heavy.
- The door opening is 88cm (2ft 11in) wide.
- The type of flooring is carpet.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is not a bed / couch.
- A hoist is not available.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair is adjustable.
- There are no chairs with armrests available.
- A flashing alarm is not available.
- A vibrating alarm is not available.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Level Change (SoundTest Room)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located ahead as you enter.
- The ramp or slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
- The width of the ramp or slope is 88cm (2ft 11in).
Consultation / Treatment Room
- There are 10 consultation/treatment rooms available.
- The room surveyed was Oral Surgery 1.
- The consultation / treatment room is 36m (39yd) from the entrance .
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There are doors into the consultation / treatment room.
- The main doors open away from you (push).
- The doors are double width.
- The doors are light.
- The door opening is 120cm (3ft 11in) wide.
- The type of flooring is vinyl.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is not a bed / couch.
- A hoist is not available.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair is adjustable.
- All chairs with armrests available.
- A flashing alarm is not available.
- A vibrating alarm is not available.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Toilet with Adaptations
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is located in the main corridor on the right.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the entrance.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The door is light.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 148cm x 240cm (4ft 10in x 7ft 10in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is a spatula type lever flush.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
- The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the cubicle.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is a mirror.
- Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
- There is not a hand dryer.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 119cm (3ft 11in).
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 117cm (3ft 10in).
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 106cm.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are medium.
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Comments
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- The accessible toilet also serves as the standard unisex facility.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilets are available.
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Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s)
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- The unisex toilets are located to the right as you face reception A.
- Unisex toilets are 9m (9yd 2ft) from the entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the unisex toilet.
- Lighting levels are medium.