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.
Parking
- The venue does have its own car park.
- Parking is not free for all users.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot be booked in advance.
- There are 5 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 300cm x 500cm (9ft 10in x 16ft 5in).
- The nearest designated bay is 20m (22yd) from the entrance.
- The furthest designated bay is 30m (33yd) from the entrance.
- 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 car park surface is tarmac.
- The patron does not have to cross a road.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
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- The photographs show a Blue Badge bay and the slope from the car park to the entrance.
Opening Times
- Monday 06:30 - 23:00.
- Tuesday 06:30 - 18:30.
- Wednesday 06:30 - 23:00.
- Thursday 06:30 - 18:30.
- Friday 06:30 - 23:00.
- Saturday 06:30 - 18:30.
Outside Access (Renal Dialysis Unit Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor of the hospital.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open towards you (pull).
- The doors are double width.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The door opening is 120cm (3ft 11in) wide.
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Second set of doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open towards you (pull).
- The doors are double width.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The door opening is 120cm (3ft 11in) wide.
Level Change (Renal Dialysis Unit 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.
Reception
- The desk is 7m (22ft 12in) from the unit entrance .
- The reception desk is low height.
- The desk is generally staffed.
- Lighting levels are medium.
- There is not a touch screen.
- 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.
Waiting Room / Area
- There is a waiting room / area.
- The waiting room / area is 2m (6ft 7in) from the unit 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.
- All chairs have armrests.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Information is available in 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.
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 carpet and vinyl.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Consultation / Treatment Room
- There are 2 consultation/treatment rooms available.
- The room surveyed was Dialysis Treatment Area.
- The consultation / treatment room is 5m (16ft 5in) from the unit 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 double width.
- The doors are heavy.
- The door opening is 156cm (5ft 1in) 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 adjustable.
- All chairs with 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.
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Comments
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- At the time of research, it was not possible to access the treatment area.
Toilet with Adaptations
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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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 straight ahead as you enter the unit.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the unit 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 inwards.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The door is light.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 84cm (2ft 9in).
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 164cm (5ft 7in x 5ft 5in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- 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 fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
- 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 placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 126cm (4ft 2in).
- 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 115cm (3ft 9in).
- 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 good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are medium.
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Comments
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- The accessible toilet also serves as the standard female facility.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilets are available.
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Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
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- The male toilets are located straight ahead after you enter the unit.
- The male toilets are 4m (4yd 1ft) from the unit entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet.
- Lighting levels are medium.