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Birch Unit

Alexandra Hospital , Woodrow Drive, Redditch, B98 7UB

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital (Alexandra Hospital)

  • By Road View
    • Leave the M42 and join the A435 south bound towards Redditch. At the roundabout take the third exit. At the next roundabout take the first exit onto Claybrook Drive. Continue to the end of the road and at the roundabout take the second exit along Washford Drive. At the mini island turn right into Hospital Drive.
    • The parking is open air with tarmac surfaces. It is both a barrier control and a 'pay and display' car park. Pay machines for the barrier control system are situated outside the Main Entrance and inside the main reception. There are several drop off spaces available for a 20 minute drop off period outside the Main Entrance. There are designated Blue Badge spaces near main visitor entrance to the car park. Please note standard parking charges apply.
  • By Bus View
    • There are several bus services to the hospital, these include the 47, 48, 55, 67, 150 and the 247.
    • There is an onsite bus stop.
    • The bus stop is located to the front of the hospital site, opposite the Main Entrance. Assistance would be needed for wheelchair users due to the dropped kerbs and a road crossing to get to the Main Entrance.
    • There is a shelter with perch seating. There would be space inside for a wheelchair user.
  • By Train View
    • Redditch Railway Station is located 3 miles from the Alexandra Hospital. There are regular buses running to the hospital.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance (Alexandra Hospital)

  • To see the hospital map please click here (opens new tab).
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 0300 123 1732.
  • The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is [email protected].
  • There are not volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
  • A mobility scooter charging point is not available at the hospital.
  • Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact a member of staff.

Hospital Parking (Visitors Car Park)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located in front of the main 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.
    • There is a touchscreen at the barrier.
    • The barrier controls/touchscreen can be reached from the car.
    • 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.
    • 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 350cm x 480cm (11ft 6in x 15ft 9in).
    • There is not 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 a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located directly outside the Main Entrance.
    • 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 payment machines in the car park, throughout 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.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is not 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 dropped kerbs.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 65m (71yd 3in) from the Main Entrance.

Getting To (Birch Unit)

  • The Birch Unit is/are located on the first floor of the hospital.
  • Access to the Birch Unit is via the main entrance.
  • Enter via the main entrance and proceed straight ahead past the reception desk.
    Continue to the end of the corridor and turn right.
    Go through the open double doors and you will see lift number 1 on the left.
    Take the lift to the first floor.
    Exit the lift and turn left onto the main first floor corridor.
    Continue ahead until you see the entrance to Ward 10 / Birch Unit on the right.
    Go through the open double doors and carry on to the end of the corridor.
    The entrance to the Birch Unit is then located on the right.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to the Birch Unit.
  • The Birch Unit is approximately 45m from the lift 1.
  • There are resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • 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 some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the hospital to the left of the main entrance sign.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 106cm (3ft 6in).
    • 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 double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 155cm.
    • 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) by sliding.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 192cm.
  • Comments View
    • There is a third set of double entrance doors door which open automatically and are 185cm wide.

Outside Access (Main Hospital Exit)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the hospital to the right of the Main Entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) by sliding.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 145cm.
    • 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 192cm.

Lift (Lift 1)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located straight ahead and right down the corridor as you enter the main entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 65m (71yd 3in) from the main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G,1.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is poor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 130cm (4ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 160cm x 280cm (5ft 3in x 9ft 2in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.

Other Floors (Stairs 2)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G,1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are low to moderate.

Ward (Birch Unit)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an day ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 4 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 2 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 23 bed(s) on this ward in total.
  • Ward Access View
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 154cm (5ft 1in).
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 113cm (3ft 8in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 118cm (3ft 10in).
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • There is clear signage on the ward.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is some flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • There are a number of heavy manual doors on the ward.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the ward reception desk is 102cm.
    • There is a lowered section.
    • The height of the lowered section of the desk is 74cm.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • Relatives' Room View
    • There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
  • Example Side Room View
    • There are no side rooms available with an accessible ensuite.
    • The width of the door opening into the side room is over 75cm.
    • The side room surveyed does not have a ceiling track hoist.
    • There is not sufficient space next to the bed for a mobile hoist to operate.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
    • Bedside storage is available.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is good.
    • The lighting levels in the side room are varied.
    • The width of the door opening into the ensuite is over 75cm.
    • There is not a clear unobstructed turning space within the ensuite.
    • The fixtures/facilities available in the ensuite include; a shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the ensuite is good.
    • The lighting levels in the ensuite are good.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • A hearing assistance system is not available on the ward.
    • The ward does play background music.
    • There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
    • A mobile hoist is available on the ward.
    • There are washroom facilities for patients on the ward.
    • There are toilet facilities for patients on the ward.
  • Visitor Facilities View
    • There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located on the first floor corridor, to the right from the Birch Unit 10 corridor.
    • There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located on the first floor corridor, to the right from the Birch Unit 10 corridor.

Washroom (Bay B - Shower Room)

  • Washroom Details View
    • The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
    • There is/are 2 washroom(s) of this type in the unit.
    • The washroom surveyed is located in bay B.
    • The washroom surveyed is approximately 4m from the bay B entrance.
    • There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the unit.
    • This washroom is interchangeable between male and female.
    • There is pictorial, written or text and dementia friendly signage on or near the washroom door.
    • The washroom door(s) open(s) outwards.
    • The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The dimensions of the washroom are 312cm x 228cm (10ft 3in x 7ft 6in).
    • The washroom does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is within reach and fully functional.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s) 150cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin is 80cm.
    • As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • The tap type is lever. It is a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 110cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 153cm.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • There is a/are pedal bin disposal units.
    • The washroom has a non-slip floor.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet has a fixed horizontal rail without a padded backrest.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on both sides.
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 120cm.
    • The lateral transfer space on the right is 119cm.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 80cm.
    • There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The shower control type is twist/turn.
    • A shower chair is available.
    • There are not wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the right of the toilet and wall is good.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is good.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities (Alexandra Hospital)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor Main Entrance corridor and the first floor main corridor.
  • Shared standard toilet facilities are located on the first floor corridor outside the Restaurant.
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located just inside the Main Entrance on the ground floor.
  • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the accessible toilets located on the ground floor Main Entrance corridor and the first floor accessible toilet.

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