You are on Getting To The Hospital. Skip to the next section.

Getting To The Hospital

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• By Road View
  • 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.
• By Bus View
  • 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.
• By Train View
  • 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.

You are on Getting Help and Assistance. Skip to the next section.

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 View
  • 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.

You are on Hospital Parking (Main Visitor Parking). Skip to the next section.

Hospital Parking (Main Visitor Parking)

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• Parking View
  • 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.
• Drop-off Point View
  • There is not a designated drop-off point.
• Paying View
  • 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).
• 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 45m (49yd 8in) from the hospital main entrance.
• Comments View
  • 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.

You are on Hospital Parking (Blue Badge Parking and Drop Off Point). Skip to the next section.

Hospital Parking (Blue Badge Parking and Drop Off Point)

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• 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 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.
• Drop-off Point View
  • 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.
• Paying View
  • 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).
• 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 clearly visible from the car park.
  • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main hospital entrance.
• Comments View
  • For more information on hospital parking please see the Car Parking Information guide.

You are on Getting To (Ward F2 - Cardiac Care Unit). Skip to the next section.

Getting To (Ward F2 - Cardiac Care Unit)

• Ward F2 - Cardiac Care Unit is/are located on the first floor in Area 31 of the Orange Zone.
• Access to Ward F2 - Cardiac Care Unit 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. Ward F2 - Cardiac Care Unit is located on the right.
• There is step free access, via lift, to Ward F2 - Cardiac Care Unit.
• Ward F2 - Cardiac Care Unit is approximately 98m from the lift.
• There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) 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.

You are on Outside Access (Main Hospital Entrance). Skip to the next section.

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 View
  • 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.

You are on Level Change (Main Hospital Entrance). Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Other Floors. Skip to the next section.

Other Floors

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• Steps View
  • 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.

You are on Lift (Main corridor). Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Opening Times. Skip to the next section.

Opening Times

• Monday 09:00 - 18:00.
• Tuesday 09:00 - 18:00.
• Wednesday 09:00 - 18:00.
• Thursday 09:00 - 18:00.
• Friday 09:00 - 18:00.
• Saturday Closed.
• Sunday Closed.

You are on Outside Access (F2 Discharge Lounge). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (F2 Discharge Lounge)

• 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) away from you (push).
• The door(s) is / are double.
• The door(s) is / are heavy.
• The width of the door opening is 162cm (5ft 4in).

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• Comments View
  • There is a second set of doors to enter the service with the same details.

You are on Reception. Skip to the next section.

Reception

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• Reception View
  • The reception point is located to the left and right as you enter.
  • The reception point is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the F2 Discharge Lounge 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 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.

You are on Inside Access. Skip to the next section.

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 not play background music.
• Wayfinding signage is available.
• The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate.
• The lighting levels are medium.

You are on Room / Area (Discharge Lounge Main Area). Skip to the next section.

Room / Area (Discharge Lounge Main Area)

• The name / number of the room / area surveyed was; Discharge Lounge Seating Area.
• There is level access to the room / area.
• There is not a/are not door(s) into the room / area.
• 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 electric.
• There is sufficient space next to the bed/couch for a mobile hoist to operate.
• There is a chair.
• No chairs are permanently fixed.
• The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
• There are some chairs with armrests available.
• No tables are permanently fixed.
• The room / area does have background music playing.
• There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room / area.
• Lighting levels are medium.

You are on Room / Area (Discharge Lounge Seating Area). Skip to the next section.

Room / Area (Discharge Lounge Seating Area)

• The name / number of the room / area surveyed was; Discharge Lounge Seating Area.
• There is level access to the room / area.
• There is a/are door(s) into the room / area.
• The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
• The door(s) is/are double width.
• The door(s) is/are heavy.
• The width of the door opening is 124cm (4ft 1in).
• The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
• There is not a bed / couch.
• A hoist is available.
• The hoist is electric.
• The sling is attached by hook and loop.
• There is a chair.
• No chairs are permanently fixed.
• The chair(s) is/are height adjustable.
• All chairs have armrests available.
• No tables are permanently fixed.
• The room / area does have background music playing.
• There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room / area.
• Lighting levels are medium.

You are on Washroom (Toilet and Shower). Skip to the next section.

Washroom (Toilet and Shower)

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• Washroom Details View
  • The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
  • There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the department.
  • This washroom is shared.
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the washroom door.
  • The washroom door(s) open(s) inwards and outwards.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
  • The dimensions of the washroom are 152cm x 300cm (4ft 12in x 9ft 10in).
  • 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 tied up and out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
  • There are coat hooks at 109cm and 155cm 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 74cm.
  • As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
  • The tap type is sensor. 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 112cm.
  • There is a towel dispenser.
  • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The height of the towel dispenser is 129cm.
  • There is not a hand dryer.
• Toilet Details View
  • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 52cm (1ft 8in).
  • There is a rail with a padded back rest.
  • There is a lateral transfer space.
  • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on both sides.
  • The lateral transfer space on the left is 150cm.
  • The lateral transfer space on the right is 110cm.
  • 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 right.
  • 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 106cm.
  • There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
• Shower Details View
  • There is a wheel in shower.
  • The shower does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • The shower head is height adjustable.
  • The shower control type is twist/turn.
  • There is a flip-down/tip-up seat for the shower.
  • The height of the flip-down/tip-up or fixed seat is 46cm (1ft 6in).
  • There are wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
• Colour Contrast and Lighting View
  • The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is good.
  • The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is good.
  • The colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
  • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
  • The colour contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is good.
  • The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is good.
  • Lighting levels are bright.

You are on Washroom (Toilet and Shower). Skip to the next section.

Washroom (Toilet and Shower)

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• Washroom Details View
  • The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
  • There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the department.
  • This washroom is female.
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the washroom door.
  • The washroom door(s) open(s) outwards.
  • 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 87cm (2ft 10in).
  • The dimensions of the washroom are 179cm x 300cm (5ft 10in x 9ft 10in).
  • The washroom does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
  • The emergency pull cord alarm is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
  • 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.
  • As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on the right.
  • The tap type is lever. It is 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 118cm.
  • There is a towel dispenser.
  • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The height of the towel dispenser is 120cm.
  • There is not a hand dryer.
• Toilet Details View
  • The cistern is not close coupled and no padded back rest is provided.
  • There is a lateral transfer space.
  • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
  • The lateral transfer space is 209cm.
  • 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 both sides.
  • 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 98cm.
• Shower Details View
  • There is a wheel in shower.
  • The shower does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • The shower head is height adjustable.
  • The shower control type is twist/turn.
  • A shower chair is available.
  • There are wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
• Colour Contrast and Lighting View
  • The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is good.
  • The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is good.
  • The colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
  • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall is good.
  • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the right of the toilet and wall is good.
  • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
  • The colour contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is good.
  • The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is good.
  • Lighting levels are medium.

You are on Accessible Toilet. Skip to the next section.

Accessible Toilet

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• Location and Access View
  • Accessible toilet facilities are not available.
• Comments View
  • The nearest accessible toilet is located at the main hospital entrance.

You are on Standard Toilet(s). Skip to the next section.

Standard Toilet(s)

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• Baby Change Facilities View
  • Baby change facilities are not located within the venue.
• Comments View
  • The nearest standard toilets are located in the main hospital corridor.

You are on Related Access Guides. Skip to the next section.

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.