Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Royal Albert Edward Infirmary Getting to and Getting Around the Hospital

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

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

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.

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 high visual 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.

Lift (Lift 1)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right of the main hospital corridor.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 100m (109yd 1ft) from the Entrance 2.
  • 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 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not 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 not within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The lift controls are set between 114cm and 120cm.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 160cm x 275cm (5ft 3in x 9ft).
  • 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 have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift controls are set between 105cm and 127cm.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Lift (Lifts 3 and 4)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left of Entrance 1 on the main hospital corridor.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 70m (76yd 1ft) from the Entrance 1.
  • 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 1, 2, 3 and 4.
  • 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 visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is medium.
  • The clear door width is 130cm (4ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 180cm x 270cm (5ft 11in x 8ft 10in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is 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 not a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Lift (Lift 5)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right of Entrance 1 on the main hospital corridor.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 75m (82yd 1in) from the Entrance 1.
  • 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 1, 2 and 3.
  • 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 visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is low.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is low.
  • The clear door width is 130cm (4ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 180cm x 275cm (5ft 11in x 9ft).
  • 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 a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Lift (Lift 7)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right of Entrance 1 on the main hospital corridor.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 115m (125yd 2ft) from the Entrance 1.
  • 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 1 and 2.
  • 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 visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is low.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is medium.
  • The clear door width is 130cm (4ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 158cm x 255cm (5ft 2in x 8ft 4in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in 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 have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Lift (Lift 6 - Christopher Home Building)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left as you enter the Christopher Home Building.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Christopher Home Building 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 and 2.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not 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 visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is low.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is medium.
  • The clear door width is 130cm (4ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 170cm x 245cm (5ft 7in x 8ft).
  • 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 have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not 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 (Next to Lift 1)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
    • 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 not 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 good.
  • Comments View
    • The handrails do not extend horizontally to help visually impaired users on all landings.

Other Floors (Opposite Lifts 3 and 4)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
    • 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 not 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 not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not 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 good.
  • Comments View
    • The handrails do not extend horizontally to help visually impaired users on all landings.

Other Floors (Opposite Lift 5)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, 2 and 3.
    • 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 not 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 not 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 moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • The handrails do not extend horizontally to help visually impaired users on all landings.

Other Floors (Christopher Home Building)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1 and 2.
    • 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 not clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are not easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not 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 varied.

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 café 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.