Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Outpatients D

West Suffolk Hospital, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 2QZ

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Getting To The Hospital (West Suffolk Hospital)

  • 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

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.

Hospital Parking (Main Entrance Blue Badge Bays)

  • 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
  • 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.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • 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.

Getting To (Outpatients D)

  • Outpatients D is/are located on the ground floor in area 15 of Blue Zone.
  • Access to Outpatients D is via the main hospital entrance.
  • When entering the hospital go straight ahead. Outpatients D is located on the right of the corridor.
  • There is step free access to Outpatients D.
  • Outpatients D is approximately 37m from the main hospital entrance.
  • There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the main hospital entrance and the department/service.
  • 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.

Outside Access (Outpatients D Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor.
  • 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.

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the outpatients entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The desk/counter is staffed.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • 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.
  • Wayfinding signage is not available.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is carpet and vinyl/laminate.
  • The lighting levels are bright.

Waiting Room / Area

  • There is a waiting room / area.
  • The waiting room / area is 1m (3ft 3in) from the outpatients 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 carpet.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs with armrests are available.
  • Announcements are in person.
  • The room does have background music playing.
  • There is a television.
  • Subtitles are not available.
  • 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 bright.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Nurses Examination Room)

  • There are 6 consultation/treatment rooms available.
  • The room surveyed was Nurses Examination Room.
  • The consultation / treatment room is 11m (12yd 1in) from the outpatients 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 77cm (2ft 6in) 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 a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair is not adjustable.
  • All chairs have armrests available.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • A flashing alarm is not available.
  • A vibrating alarm is not available.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • Lighting levels are bright.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Consulting Room 1)

  • There are 6 consultation/treatment rooms available.
  • The room surveyed was Consulting Room 1.
  • The consultation / treatment room is 19m (20yd 2ft) from the outpatients 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 77cm (2ft 6in) wide.
  • The type of flooring is carpet and 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 a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair is not adjustable.
  • All chairs have armrests available.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • A flashing alarm is not available.
  • A vibrating alarm is not available.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • Lighting levels are bright.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is located in the Nurse's Examination Room.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the outpatients entrance.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 77cm (2ft 6in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 200cm x 190cm (6ft 7in 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 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the right.
    • 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 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 118cm (3ft 10in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 87cm (2ft 10in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high visual 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 contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There is a flip down seat located in the accessible toilet.
    • It is 42cm high.

Standard Toilet(s)

Related Access Guides