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The Friends Shop

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 2QZ

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • 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.

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.
  • 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.

Hospital Parking (Main Visitor Parking)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located in front of the hospital.
    • 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 barrier controls/touchscreen can be reached from the car.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is not a/are not Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • 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 393 cm x 460cm.
    • There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • 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 not a designated drop-off point.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located at the entrance to the car park, at the payment machines in the car park and at the payment machines in the hospital building.
    • Payment machines are located inside the hospital building and at the front of the car park.
    • 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 clearly signposted.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 45m (49yd 8in) from the hospital main entrance.
  • Comments View
    • The car park is run with an ANPR system.
    • Visitors will need their registration number to enter into one of the machines around the trust, make a payment, and the barriers on the exit road will automatically open.
    • For more information on hospital parking please see the Car Parking Information guide.

Hospital Parking (Blue Badge Parking and Drop Off Point)

  • 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 in front of the hospital 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 clearly marked/signposted Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
    • There is/are 36 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 350cm x 510cm.
    • 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.
    • The drop-off point is located next to the Accident and Emergency entrance at the front of the hospital.
    • 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 clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located at the entrance to the car park, at the payment machines in the car park and at the payment machines in the hospital building.
    • Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Payment machines are located inside the hospital building and at the front of the car park.
    • 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 clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main hospital entrance.
  • Comments View
    • For more information on hospital parking please see the Car Parking Information guide.

Outside Access (Main Hospital Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the hospital.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open automatically.
  • The doors are single width.
  • The door opening is 144cm (4ft 9in) wide.
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open automatically.
    • The doors are double width.
    • The door opening is 174cm (5ft 9in) wide.

Level Change (Main Hospital 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 (The Friends Shop)

  • The Friends Shop is/are located on the ground floor in area 14 of the Green Zone.
  • Access to The Friends Shop is via the main hospital entrance.
  • When entering the hospital go straight ahead. The Friends Shop is located on the left of the corridor.
  • There is step free access to The Friends Shop.
  • The Friends Shop is approximately 40m from the main hospital entrance.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the main hospital entrance and the department/service.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • 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.

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:30 - 20:00.
  • Tuesday 08:30 - 20:00.
  • Wednesday 08:30 - 20:00.
  • Thursday 08:30 - 20:00.
  • Friday 08:30 - 20:00.
  • Saturday 13:00 - 16:30.
  • Sunday 13:00 - 16:30.

Outside Access (Shop Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • There are no doors at this entrance.
  • The door opening is 100cm (3ft 3in) wide.

Reception (Counter)

  • 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 bright.

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.
  • The lighting levels are bright.

Toilet with Adaptations

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

Standard Toilet(s)

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