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 (Rear Entrance)
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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 adjacent to the rear entrance.
- 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 car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
- There is/are 6 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 360cm x 500cm (11ft 10in x 16ft 5in).
- 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 a designated drop-off point.
- 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 located at the payment machines in the hospital building.
- Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- Free parking for Blue Badge holders is for 4 hours only.
- Payment machines are located inside the hospital building.
- 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 not clearly signposted.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the from the rear entrance.
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Comments
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- Blue Badge holders can have their chip coin validated (for free parking) at the Eye Treatment Centre, Macmillan Unit or Day Surgery Unit only if they have attended these units.
- For more information on hospital parking please see the Car Parking Information guide.
Outside Access (Rear Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the hospital.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).
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Second set of doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).
Level Change (Rear 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 (MRI Unit)
- The MRI Unit is/are located on the ground floor in area 4 of the Orange Zone.
- Access to the MRI Unit is via the rear entrance.
- Turn right immediately as you enter the rear entrance and continue ahead. The MRI Unit is located at the end of the corridor.
- There is step free access to the MRI Unit.
- The MRI Unit is approximately 26m from the rear entrance.
- There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the rear entrance and the department/service.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
- There is flooring in corridors with large, repeating patterns that incorporate bold contrasting colours or simulate steps.
Opening Times
- Monday 08:45 - 20:00.
- Tuesday 08:45 - 20:00.
- Wednesday 08:45 - 20:00.
- Thursday 08:45 - 20:00.
- Friday 08:45 - 17:00.
- Saturday 09:00 - 16:00.
Outside Access (MRI Centre Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor of the hospital.
- There is level access into the venue.
- The intercom is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
- The main door(s) open away from you (push).
- The doors are double width.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The door opening is 172cm (5ft 8in) wide.
Reception
- The desk is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the entrance.
- There is level access to reception from the entrance.
- The reception desk is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- The desk does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The desk is generally 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.
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 play background music.
- Customers cannot charge scooters or wheelchairs at the venue.
- Route finding signage is not available.
- The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Waiting Room / Area
- There is a waiting room / area.
- The waiting room / area is 3m (3yd 10in) 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.
- Some chairs with armrests are available.
- 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 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 2 consultation/treatment rooms available.
- The consultation / treatment room is 8m (8yd 2ft) 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 heavy.
- The door opening is 110cm (3ft 7in) wide.
- The type of flooring is vinyl.
- 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 not a chair.
- A flashing alarm is not available.
- A vibrating alarm is not available.
- The room does have background music playing.
Accessible Changing Room
- There is not a Changing Places facility available.
- There are accessible changing rooms available.
- The accessible changing rooms are located at the rear of the department.
- The accessible changing room is 12m (13yd 4in) from the entrance.
- The accessible changing room is 6m (6yd 1ft) from the reception desk.
- There is level access to the changing room.
- The dimensions of the accessible changing room are 160cm x 140cm (5ft 3in x 4ft 7in).
- The facilities available in the accessible changing room are handrails.
- Other fixtures/facilities available include; a fixed chair.
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Comments
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- The fixed chair is 50cm in height.
Standard Changing Room
- There are standard changing rooms available.
- The standard changing rooms are located at the rear of the department.
- The standard changing room is 11m (12yd) from the unit entrance.
- The standard changing room is 5m (16ft 5in) from the reception desk.
- There is level access to the standard changing rooms.
Toilet with Adaptations
- There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
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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 to the right as you face reception.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) 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 by sliding.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The door is heavy.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 76cm (2ft 6in).
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 190cm (4ft 11in x 6ft 3in).
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 76cm (2ft 6in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- 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 not available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are 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 44cm (1ft 5in).
- There is not a hand dryer.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 106cm (3ft 6in).
- 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 113cm (3ft 8in).
- 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 fair colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Standard Toilet(s)
- The nearest standard toilets are located in the main hospital corridor.