Access Guide
Getting To (Accident and Emergency - Emergency Assessment Area)
- The Emergency Assessment Area is located within the Accident and Emergency department.
- The Emergency Assessment Area is approximately 36m from the Walk In's entrance.
- The route from the car park to Walk In's entrance has uneven surfaces, bollards and dropped kerbs.
- View further information about parking at the hospital (opens new tab)
- Access to the Emergency Assessment Area is via the Walk In's entrance.
- Enter the hospital via the Walk In's entrance and bear right.
Continue along the corridor, at the end of the corridor turn right.
The Emergency Assessment Area is ahead on the left. - View further information about entrances (opens new tab)
- There is step free access to the Emergency Assessment Area.
- Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
- There are resting areas along the route.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
- The following toilet facilities are available along the route; accessible toilet (with right hand transfer) and standard toilets.
- View information about accessible toilet facilities in public areas (opens new tab).
- View information on getting to and around the hospital (opens new tab)
Hospital Parking (Accessible Parking)
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Parking
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- 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.
- 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.
- There is/are 9 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 230cm x 460cm (7ft 6in x 15ft 1in).
- 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.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop-off point.
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Paying
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- There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
- Parking signs are provided .
- Parking signs are clearly presented.
- Parking signs are located throughout the car park.
- Parking signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
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Access to the Hospital
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- 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 70m (229ft) from the Entrance 1.
- There is a service road to cross using the dropped kerbs and an uneven pavement between the Blue Badge bays and Entrance 1.
- Blue Badge holders can park free of charge.
- Please scan your Blue Badge at one of the pay stations before leaving the car park - simply type in your vehicle registration number and then press submit. .
Hospital Parking (Car Park A - Blue Badge Holders Only)
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Parking
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- 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.
- 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) markings are faded.
- There is/are 8 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 240cm x 610cm (7ft 10in x 20ft 0in).
- 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.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop-off point.
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Paying
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- There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
- Parking signs are provided .
- Parking signs are clearly presented.
- Parking signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
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Access to the Hospital
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- 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 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 30m (98ft) from the Entrance 2.
- There are bollards between the Blue badge bays and the pavement.
- Please scan your Blue Badge at one of the pay stations before leaving the car park - simply type in your vehicle registration number and then press submit.
- Payment machines are located throughout the car park.
- There is not 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).
Outside Access (Walk In's Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary building.
- There is not a drop-off point at this entrance.
- 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.
- 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 133cm (4ft 4in).
- There is a door release button when exiting.
- The height of the door release button is 100cm (3ft 3in).
- Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
- The automatic door(s) is/are push pad activated.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 155cm.
- 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 155cm.
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Ramp/Slope Details
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the Walk In's entrance.
- The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
Reception (Accident and Emergency)
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Reception
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- The reception point is located to the left of the Walk In's entrance.
- The reception point is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Walk In's entrance.
- The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step free access to the reception point.
- There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
- There are windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
- The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
- The height of the reception counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is a bell to attract attention.
- The bell is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
- The hearing assistance system was tested on 14/10/2024.
- The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
- Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are provided in the reception area.
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Reception Waiting Area
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- There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
- Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
- There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
- There is a television.
- Subtitles are available.
- Vending machines are available.
- A water dispenser is not available.
- There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
- Lighting levels are good.
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Comments
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- There is a vibrating hand held alert for patients with a hearing impairment.
- There is a BSL video interpreter available at reception.
Department / Service (Accident and Emergency - Emergency Assessment Area)
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Department / Service Access
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- The Emergency Assessment Area is located on the ground floor of Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, within the Accident and Emergency department.
- There is a/are door(s) leading into the department/service.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are easy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 168cm.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- There is not a hand sanitiser.
- There is level access throughout the department/service.
- Staff can provide assistance with using any manual doors within the department/service.
- There is clear signage on the department/service.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is some flooring in the department/service which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The department/service does not play background music.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Department / Service Facilities
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- This department/service has; a main reception, a waiting room/area and treatment rooms.
- There are 7 consultation/treatment rooms in this department/service.
- A hearing assistance system is not available in the department/service.
- A mobile hoist is available from another department/service.
- There are not accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
- Accessible toilet facilities are located in the Accident and Emergency waiting room.
- There are not standard toilet facilities within this department/service.
- Standard toilet facilities are located in the Accident and Emergency waiting room.
Opening Times (Accident and Emergency - Emergency Assessment Area)
- This service is open 24 hours.
Reception (Nurses' Station)
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Reception
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- The reception point is located ahead from the Emergency Assessment Area entrance.
- The reception point is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the Emergency Assessment Area entrance.
- The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step free access to the reception point.
- There is not a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
- There are no windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The reception counter is placed in front of a background which is patterned.
- The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
- The height of the reception counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is not a bell to attract attention.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Treatment Chairs 1, 2, 3, and 4)
- There is / are 7 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Treatment Chairs 1, 2, 3, and 4.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There is not a/are not door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is not a bed / couch.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
- There are some chairs with armrests available.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- Lighting levels are good.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Treatment Chair 5, 6, and 7)
- There is / are 7 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Treatment Chair 5, 6, and 7.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There is not a/are not door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is not a bed / couch.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
- All chairs have armrests available.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- Lighting levels are good.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Assessment Cubicle 3)
- There is / are 4 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Assessment Cubicle 3.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There is not a/are not door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is a bed / couch.
- The bed / couch is adjustable.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
- There are no chairs with armrests available.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- Lighting levels are good.
