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Royal Albert Edward Infirmary

Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan Lane, Wigan, Lancashire, WN1 2NN

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital (Royal Albert Edward Infirmary)

  • By Road View
    • The hospital is located north of Wigan town centre and is easily accessed via the A49 from either the north or south.
      The postcode for the sat-nav is WN1 2NN.
    • There are several small car parks at the hospital accessed via Wigan Lane which have Blue Badge bays and standard parking for patients and visitors at the front of the hospital.
      There is also a standard car park located on Freckleton Street which is approximately 200m from the hospital.
  • By Bus View
    • There is an onsite bus stop which is serviced by routes 111 and 362 sapphire.
    • There is an onsite bus stop.
    • The bus shelter is located outside the Same Day Emergency Unit building, to the left of Entrance 1.
    • There are 2 identical bus shelters.
      The bus shelters are covered.
      There is a seat set at 46cm high in each bus shelter.
      There is room for a wheelchair to wait in each bus shelter.
    • The route to Entrance 1 has an uneven pavement and slight slopes from the bus shelters.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest Railway station is Wigan North Western.
      Wigan station is approximately 1 mile (1.6km) from the hospital.
      There are taxis available at the station.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance (Royal Albert Edward Infirmary)

  • To see the hospital map please click here (opens new tab).
  • 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 via Entrance 1 on level 2 of the hospital.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 01942 822 376.
  • The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is [email protected].
  • There are volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
  • Volunteers can be found at the help desks next to Entrance 1 and 2.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • 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 (Accessible Parking)

  • 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 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 7in 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.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point.
  • Paying View
    • There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located throughout the car park.
    • Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • 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 70m (76yd 1ft) from the Entrance 1.
  • Comments View
    • There is a service road to cross using the dropped kerbs and an uneven pavement between the Blue Badge bays and Entrance 1.

Hospital Parking (Car Park A)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • 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).
    • 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 payment machines in the car park.
    • Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • 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).
  • 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 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 (32yd 2ft) from the Entrance 2.
  • Comments View
    • There are bollards between the Blue badge bays and the pavement.

Outside Access (Entrance 1)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the hospital.
    • The entrance area/door is not 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/do 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 123cm (4ft).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 133cm.
    • 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 120cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located directly leading to the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.

Reception (Entrance 1 Help Desk)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located to the left as you enter Entrance 1.
    • The reception point is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the Entrance 1.
    • 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 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 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 low (76cm or lower).
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a bell to attract attention.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • 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.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.
  • Comments View
    • The help desk is staffed by volunteers.

Getting Around (Royal Albert Edward Infirmary)

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
    • There is a slight ramp, with handrails on both sides, for access to the Occupational Therapy department and the Discharge Day Lounge.
    • The ramp can be seen in pictures 6 and 7.
    • There is a slight ramp, with handrails on both sides, for access to level 1 services from Entrance 2.
    • This ramp can be seen in photographs 8 and 9.
  • Circulation View
    • There are not doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is carpet and vinyl.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • Handrails are provided in some corridors.
    • Seating is not provided in corridors.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all corridors.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Signage and Wayfinding View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
    • The wayfinding signage includes some pictograms.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in public areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities (Royal Albert Edward Infirmary)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are located on level 2, next to Entrance 1 and on the main level 2 corridor. Also on the ground floor of the Christopher Home Building.
  • Shared standard toilet facilities are located on level 2, next to Entrance 1 and on the ground floor of the Christopher Home Building.
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located on the main level 2 corridor.
  • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the accessible toilet on level 2 (Entrance 1 - Right Hand Transfer) and the standard male and female toilets on the level 2 corridor. There is also a breast feeding room on the level 2 corridor, near Entrance 1.

Amenities (Royal Albert Edward Infirmary)

  • Shops and Services View
    • The shops/services available include; a pharmacy and a coffee shop.
  • ATM Machines View
    • There is an/are ATM machine(s) available.
    • The ATM Machine(s) is/are located on level 2 in the cafĂ© seating area.
    • A low level ATM machine is not available.
  • Pay Phones and Charging Points View
    • Pay phones are available.
    • The pay phone(s) is/are located to the right of Entrance 1 on level 2, as well as outside Entrance 1 in a phone box.
    • The pay phone(s) is/are cash only payment.
    • A low level pay phone (controls between 75cm - 100cm from floor level) is available.
    • Phone charging points are not available.
  • Public WiFi View
    • Free public WiFi is available.
    • There is free WiFi available within some areas of the hospital.
      Search for NHS WiFi FREE to connect.
  • TV Pre-Payment Machines View
    • There are no TV pre-pay machines for patients.

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