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 (Rear Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Hospital Parking (Rear Entrance)

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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 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.
• Drop-off Point View
  • 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.
• Paying View
  • 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).
• 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 not clearly signposted.
  • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the from the rear entrance.
• Comments View
  • 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.

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

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 View
  • 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).

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

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.

You are on Getting To (Pathology and Blood Tests). Skip to the next section.

Getting To (Pathology and Blood Tests)

• Pathology and Blood Tests is/are located on the ground floor in area 8 of Orange Zone.
• Access to Pathology and Blood Tests is via the rear entrance.
• Turn left as you enter the rear entrance and continue ahead along the corridor. The Pathology and Blood Tests is located on the right of the corridor.
• There is step free access to Pathology and Blood Tests.
• Pathology and Blood Tests is approximately 61m 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 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.

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

Opening Times

• Monday 07:30 - 19:00.
• Tuesday 07:30 - 19:00.
• Wednesday 07:30 - 19:00.
• Thursday 07:30 - 19:00.
• Friday 07:30 - 19:00.
• Saturday 09:00 - 12:00.

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

Outside Access (Pathology 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(s) towards you (pull).
• The door(s) is / are double.
• The door(s) is / are heavy.
• The width of the door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in).

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

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.
• The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is wood.
• The lighting levels are medium.

You are on Waiting Room / Area. Skip to the next section.

Waiting Room / Area

• There is a waiting room / area.
• The waiting room / area is 2m (2yd 7in) 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 carpet.
• 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 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.

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

Consultation / Treatment Room

• There are 5 consultation/treatment rooms available.
• The room surveyed was Blood Test Room 1.
• The consultation / treatment room is 2m (2yd 7in) from the entrance.
• There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
• There are not doors into the consultation / treatment room.
• 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 have 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.

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

Consultation / Treatment Room

• The room surveyed was Blood Test Room 3.
• The consultation / treatment room is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the entrance.
• There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
• There are not doors into the consultation / treatment room.
• 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 have 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 bright.

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

Accessible Toilet

• The nearest toilet facilities are located in the main hospital corridor.

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

Standard Toilet(s)

• The nearest toilet facilities are located in the main hospital corridor.