You are on Getting Help and Assistance (West Suffolk Hospital). Skip to the next section.

Getting Help and Assistance (West Suffolk Hospital)

• To see the hospital map please click here (opens new tab).
• 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 hospital via the main entrance.
• The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 01284 712 555.
• 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 at the information desk.
• Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, different languages on request and audio on request.
• There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
• Water bowls for assistance dogs are not 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, motorised wheelchairs, tri wheel walkers, walking frames, walking sticks, mobile hoists, hoist slings, adjustable beds and crutches.
• To obtain mobility aids please contact a member of staff.
• There is a Changing Places facility at this hospital which is located within the green zone - lifts No1 and No2 lift lobby.
• To view the Changing Places Accessibility Guide please click here.

You are on Getting To The Hospital (West Suffolk Hospital). Skip to the next section.

Getting To The Hospital (West Suffolk Hospital)

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• By Road View
  • 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).
  • There are several car parks for patients and visitors available on site.
    Please note that car parking at West Suffolk Hospital can be 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.
  • There is an onsite bus stop.
  • The onsite bus stop is located at the front of the hospital.
  • The onsite bus stop has a shelter and benched seating available.
    There is not enough space for a wheelchair user.
  • The route from the onsite bus stop to the main entrance has either a steep slope or stepped access.
    The slope that leads to the main entrance is located at the end of the path to the right as you exit the bus shelter, then the main entrance is located in front as you reach the top of the slope.
    The steps that lead to the main entrance are located to the left as you exit the bus shelter, then the main entrance is located in front as you reach the top of the steps.
• By Train View
  • The railway station is on Station Hill (Tel: 01284 484950), approximately 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.
    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.
• Useful Links View
  • Information on bus providers.
  • To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
  • Information on train providers.
  • To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
  • Bury St Edmunds train station.
  • To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).

You are on Hospital Parking (Main Entrance Blue Badge Bays). Skip to the next section.

Hospital Parking (Main Entrance Blue Badge Bays)

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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 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
  • There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
  • To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
• 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.

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

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

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• 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.

You are on Other Floors (Green Zone - Lifts No1 and No2 Stairs). Skip to the next section.

Other Floors (Green Zone - Lifts No1 and No2 Stairs)

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• Stairs View
  • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on the ground floor.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
  • 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 not 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.
• Comments View
  • The manual doors are to access the stairs from the lift lobby on the ground floor. There is open access to the stairs from the corridor.

You are on Lift (Green Zone - Lifts No1 and No2). Skip to the next section.

Lift (Green Zone - Lifts No1 and No2)

• There is a lift for public use.
• The lift is located within the green zone, to the left as you exit the main entrance lobby.
• Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
• The lift is approximately 45m (49yd 8in) from the main 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 G and 1.
• Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not 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 visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is medium.
• The visual 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 157cm x 241cm (5ft 2in x 7ft 11in).
• 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 not 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 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.

You are on Getting To (Medical Photography). Skip to the next section.

Getting To (Medical Photography)

• Medical Photography is/are located on the first floor, in Area 38 of Green Zone.
• Access to Medical Photography is via the main hospital entrance.
• When entering the hospital go straight ahead, turn left at the end of the corridor and take the lift to the first floor. Turn left as you exit the lift and continue straight ahead along the corridor. Turn left after the staircase and Acute Medical Unit - Admissions is in front of you. Go through the entrance and Medical Photography is located on the left of the corridor.
• There is step free access, via lift, to Medical Photography.
• Medical Photography is approximately 50m from the Green Zone Lifts 1 and 2.
• 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.
• 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 (Acute Medical Unit Department Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Acute Medical Unit Department 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 160cm (5ft 3in).

You are on Opening Times (Medical Photography). Skip to the next section.

Opening Times (Medical Photography)

• Monday 08:30 - 16:00.
• Tuesday 08:30 - 16:00.
• Wednesday 08:30 - 16:00.
• Thursday 08:30 - 16:00.
• Friday 08:30 - 16:00.
• Saturday Closed.
• Sunday Closed.

You are on Entrance (Medical Photography Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (Medical Photography Entrance)

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• Entrance Details View
  • This information is for the entrance located on the first floor of the hospital.
  • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
  • There is step free access at this entrance.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 150cm.
  • There is a second set of doors.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 77cm.

You are on Reception. Skip to the next section.

Reception

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• Reception View
  • The reception point is located to the left as you enter.
  • The reception point is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Johanna Finn Diagnostic Unit - Urology 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 a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the counter.
  • The counter is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided in the reception area.
• Reception Waiting Area View
  • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
  • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
  • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • The waiting room / area does have background music playing.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
  • There is not a television.
  • Vending machines are not available.
  • A water dispenser is not 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.

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

Inside Access

• There is level access once inside.
• There is not a hearing assistance system.
• This venue does not play background music.
• Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
• Wayfinding signage is available.
• The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate.
• 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.
• The lighting levels are medium.

You are on Consultation / Treatment Room (Studio). Skip to the next section.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Studio)

• There is / are 1 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
• 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 with a locked extension leaf.
• The door(s) is/are heavy.
• The width of the door opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
• 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 not available.
• There is a chair.
• No chairs are permanently fixed.
• The chair(s) is/are adjustable.
• There are no chairs with armrests available.
• All tables are permanently fixed.
• The room does not have background music playing.
• There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
• Lighting levels are medium.

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• Comments View
  • The entrance to the studio is located on the corridor to the right of the department entrance.

You are on Toilet with Adaptations. Skip to the next section.

Toilet with Adaptations

• There are not accessible toilet facilities within this venue.

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• Comments View
  • The nearest accessible toilet is located opposite the lifts on the ground floor.

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

Standard Toilet(s)

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• Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
• Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s) View
  • The shared toilets that were surveyed are located opposite the Medical Photography entrance.
  • The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the Medical Photography entrance.
  • Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
  • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
  • Lighting levels are medium.

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.
• Ward F7 - Acute Medical Unit link (new tab) - click here.
• Johanna Finn Diagnostic Unit - Urology link (new tab) - click here.