Access Guide
Getting To The Hospital
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By Road
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- Ipswich Hospital is located to the east of Ipswich town centre. It is within easy access of the A12 and A14. Access to the hospital is from Heath Road (A1198).
- There are many onsite car parks at the front of the site and parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
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By Bus
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- There are regular buses that serve the hospital. There are bus stops in both directions on Heath Road, within 150m of the hospital site.
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By Train
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- The nearest train station to the hospital is Derby Road which is approximately 2.4 km away.
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Useful Links
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- National Rail Enquiries.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Travelling in Suffolk and East Anglia.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
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 in the South Zone.
- The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 01473 704 781.
- 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 throughout the hospital.
- Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: large print on request and different languages on request.
- There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
- BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
- Language interpreters can be provided on request.
- Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
- There is a Changing Places facility at this hospital which is located on the ground floor of the Central Zone.
- To view the Changing Places Accessibility Guide please click here.
Hospital Parking (Car Park F)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car park is located at the front of the site, close to the Outpatient Department.
- 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 and signposted.
- There is/are 32 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 310cm x 470cm (10ft 2in x 15ft 5in).
- 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.
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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 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 at the front and rear of the car park.
- There is not 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).
- 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 unaided.
- 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 55m (60yd 5in) from the Outpatient Entrance.
Hospital Parking (Outpatient Drop-off and Pick-up Area)
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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 immediately outside the Outpatient 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 Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
- There is/are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 300cm x 470cm (9ft 10in x 15ft 5in).
- 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.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is a designated drop-off point.
- The drop-off point is located immediately outside the Outpatient Entrance.
- There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
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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 34m (37yd 7in) from the Outpatient Entrance.
Getting To (Eye Department)
- The Eye Department is/are located on the yellow corridor in the Central Zone of the hospital.
- Access to the Eye Department is via the Main Outpatients entrance.
- Enter via the Main Outpatients entrance and bear right through the double doors next to the toilets.
Follow the corridor and the Eye Department is located to the left. - There is step free access to the Eye Department.
- The Eye Department is approximately 35m from the Main Outpatients entrance.
- There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the Main Outpatients entrance and the department/service.
- There are resting areas along the route.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is provided.
- There is some 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 (Outpatients Entrance - 6)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is not 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 no hand sanitiser at this entrance.
- Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 120cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 106cm.
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Ramp/Slope Details
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- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
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Comments
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- The first door is to the left side of a protruding entrance foyer.
- There is an identical entrance on the opposite side.
- These doors are not easily visible on approach.
- There is a third door located 5m beyond the second door which is identical to it.
Opening Times (Eye Department)
- Monday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Tuesday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Wednesday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Thursday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Friday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Department / Service (Eye Department)
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Department / Service Access
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- Eye Department is located in the Central Zone.
- 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 but one door is locked.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 78cm.
- 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.
- There is level access throughout the department/service.
- There is clear signage on the department/service.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is 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, a sub waiting area, consultation rooms, treatment rooms, ambulant toilet facilities for everyone and standard toilet facilities.
- There are 27 consultation/treatment rooms in this department/service.
- A hearing assistance system is not available in the department/service.
- A mobile hoist is not available on the department/service.
- There are accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
- There are standard toilet facilities within this department/service.
Reception (Eye Department)
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Reception
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- The reception point is located to the left on entering the Eye Department.
- The reception point is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the Eye Department 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 not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the counter.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is not a bell to attract attention.
- 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 not tested at the time of the survey.
- Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not 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 not available.
- A water dispenser is available.
- There is 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 moderate to good.
Waiting Room / Area (Paediatric Waiting Area)
- There is a waiting room / area.
- The waiting room / area is approximately 6m from the department entrance.
- There is level access into the waiting room / area.
- There is a/are door(s) into the waiting room / area.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is not a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- Chairs with armrests are not available.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Announcements are in person.
- 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 not a television.
- Vending machines are not available.
- A water dispenser is not available.
- There is 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.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Laser Room 02)
- There is / are 27 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Laser Room 02.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- 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/are height adjustable.
- There are some chairs with armrests available.
- Some 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 moderate to good.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Ophthalmic Investigations)
- There is / are 27 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Ophthalmic Investigations 01.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- 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.
- Some chairs are height adjustable.
- There are some chairs with armrests available.
- Some 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 moderate to good.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Consulting Room)
- There is / are 27 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Consulting Room 12.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are easy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- 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.
- Some chairs are height adjustable.
- There are some chairs with armrests available.
- Some 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.
Accessible Toilet(s) (Right Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located ahead as you enter the department and in the corridor on the right.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 16m from the Eye Department entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- The door opens inwards and outwards.
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 157cm x 194cm (5ft 2in x 6ft 4in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 98cm.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is fair.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) to the left of the toilet and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) to the right of the toilet and wall is fair.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency alarm is fully functional.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are clinical waste disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 160cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is not a mirror.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet does not have a backrest or a cistern.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder is on the dropdown rail.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 108cm (3ft 7in).
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 73cm (2ft 5in).
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the right hand side of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 96cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 108cm (3ft 7in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is poor.
- There is not a hand dryer.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The shared toilet is located ahead as you enter the department and in the corridor on the right.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m from the Eye Department entrance.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
- The colour contrast between the internal toilet door(s) and wall(s) is fair.
- The colour contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
- Toilet seats do not have a good colour contrast.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 82cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is lever.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The wall fixed soap dispenser is located above and to the left of the wash basin.
- Lighting levels are good.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Central Zone link (new tab) - click here.
- Hospital Parking link (new tab) - click here.