Accessibility Hub

Accessible parking is available at each of our sites. For more information about accessible parking, including the number of spaces available and how to register your vehicle, visit the car parking page.

Finding our car parks

See below for what3words addresses for the entrances to parking locations at our hospitals. 

Available parking at York Hospital

• Blue badge parking: Labs.Priced.Known
• Multi-storey parking: Lines.Legend.Spider
• Maternity parking: Visits.Lately.Hurls
• Neuroscience parking: Grants.Kinds.Bumpy

Available parking at Scarborough Hospital

• Visitor parking: Scans.Gaps.Flood
• Blue badge parking: Guard.Trendy.Plan

Available parking at Bridlington Hospital

• Blue badge and visitor parking: Drop.Point.Rental

Validating your parking

If you park in a non-disabled bay and have a blue badge, you can validate your parking by taking your blue badge to the main reception desk at the hospital.

Hospital transport

There are a number of other ways to get to the hospital, including using public transport and patient transport services. Visit the travel page for more information on hospital travel and transport.

In this section, you'll find location details for toilets available to use at our hospitals.

Changing Places toilets

• York Hospital main reception: 1 Changing Places toilet
• Scarborough Hospital Hawthorne Unit (North Wing): 1 Changing Places toilet

Toilets at York Hospital

Ground floor

• Cancer Care Centre: 1 unisex toilet
• Critical Care Unit: 4 accessible toilets
• Discharge Lounge: 2 accessible toilets
• Kitchen and dining room (Ellerby's): 1 accessible toilet, male toilets, female toilets
• Main reception: 1 accessible toilet (Changing Places toilet), 1 male toilet, 1 female toilet
• Neuroscience: 2 accessible toilets, 1 unisex toilet
• Ophthalmology: 2 accessible toilets, 1 unisex toilet
• X-ray and imaging: 3 accessible toilets, 1 male toilet, 1 female toilet, 2 unisex toilets, 3 changing spaces (unisex)

First floor

• Audiology: 1 accessible toilet, 1 male toilet (with baby change), 1 female toilet (with baby change)
• Endocrinology: 1 accessible toilet, 1 male toilet, 1 female toilet
• Magnolia Centre: 1 accessible toilet, 1 male toilet, 1 female toilet, 1 baby changing facility
• Magnolia Centre (for chemotherapy patients only): 1 accessible toilet, 1 unisex toilet
• Orthopaedics: 1 accessible toilet, 2 unisex toilets

Second floor

• Ophthalmology: 2 accessible toilets

Toilets at Scarborough Hospital

Ground floor

• Cardio-respiratory corridor (North Wing): 2 unisex toilets
• North Wing entrance: 1 unisex toilet (with baby change)
• Hawthorne Unit (North Wing): 1 accessible toilet (Changing Places)
• Macmillan Cancer Unit: 1 accesible toilet

First floor

• Kitchen and dining room (Pat's Place): 1 unisex toilet
• Outpatient Department - waiting area A (South Wing): 2 ambulatory accessible toilets, 1 unisex toilet
• Main reception: 1 accessible toilet, 1 male toilet, 1 female toilet

Hospitals can be busy and overwhelming. If you need some time in a quieter space, there a number of options.

Our hospitals have multiple outdoor spaces and courtyards that are quieter spaces where anyone can sit. Please speak to a colleague at the hospital if you need help finding a quieter space.

York Hospital

The animal spending area at York Hospital is located at junction 5 (left off the main corridor). There is a double set of doors leading to an enclosed outdoor space.

In the space, there is a dedicated dog waste disposal bin. The space has benches and different terrain such as gravel, concrete, and grass.

Because the spac eis enclosed, it is safe for dogs to have some off-leash time with plenty of space to run around.

We want to make sure everyone can understand information about their care and communicate with us easily. If you have any communication or information needs, please let us know before your appointment so we can make any necessary adjustments and help things go as smoothly as possible.

We can provide information in a range of formats, including:

• Audio

• Large print

• Braille

• British Sign Language (BSL)

• Easy read

• Makaton

Hearing loops are also available to support patients who use hearing aids.

If you need an interpreter or translator for your appointment, please contact us using the details on your appointment letter.

It’s important to us that we find the right approach for you. Good communication helps us provide the best possible care and ensures you feel supported and involved every step of the way.

Language and communication FAQs

How do I ask for a BSL interpreter for an appointment?

Contact the department or service your appointment is with using the contact information on your appointment letter. The department will then arrange an interpreter for you either in person or by video call.

How do I ask for an interpreter for a different language?

Contact the department or service your appointment is with using the contact information on your appointment letter. The department will then arrange an interpreter for you either in person, by phone, or by video call.

How do I ask for large print, braille, or screen-reader-friendly resources?

Contact the department your appointment is with using the contact information on your appointment letter, or speak with a member of the team when you are at the appointment. You can speak to the reception team or a medical professional. Let them know what format you need, and they will arrange it for you.

It's best to ask in advance, as it can take up to five days for the resources to be delivered.

What can I do to make sure staff can communicate with me?

If you use any communication aids, such as communication cards, communication mats, or an AAC device, you are welcome to bring them with you to your appointment or visit. 

If you need support during your time with us, please speak to your care team. They will do their best to make sure you have access to any communication tools you need.

Sometimes we need extra notice to arrange interpreters for rare languages or for people who are deaf or blind. We understand this isn’t always possible, especially if your visit is unexpected.

If you need one of these interpreters, please bring a list of other ways we can communicate with you. This could include:

• using large print or simple sentences

• using a similar language

• using pictures or images

This will help our team members communicate with you until an interpreter arrives. If you have a carer who helps with communication, the team may ask them to support simple conversations to help you feel more comfortable while you wait.

Wheelchairs are available to borrow at both York Hospital and Scarborough Hospital. You can find them at the main reception area when you arrive.

We do our very best to keep wheelchairs available for everyone who may need one. However, they are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and at busy times, all chairs may be in use. If this happens, our staff may not be able to provide an additional wheelchair immediately, but we will always do what we can to support you and ensure you can access the care you need.

Patient information leaflets

Patient information leaflets are available on the patient information leaflets section of the website. 

If you would like patient leaflets in a different format, including braille or easy read, or translated into a different language, please speak to a colleague in the ward or department providing your care.

Printable communication aids

• Communication cards (in colour)
• Pain scale

Other documents

• The Hospital Communication Book
• Practical tips for neurodivergent patients (a poster)
• Who's who on the wards (visual guide to colleague uniforms)

Videos

What to expect when visiting the emergency department

The video was created with York St John University and focuses on the needs of those with neurodivergent traits, communication needs, or heightened sensory sensitivity. That includes people with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, or learning disabilities.

Emergency departments can be busy and overwhelming, but it's the best place to be if you need emergency medical care. Colleagues in the emergency department are there to help you get the care you need.

A carer is anyone, including children and adults, who looks after a family member, partner, or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem, or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid. 

We offer a wide range of support and resources for carers. Please visit our Carer Hub to find out more.

For accessibility support, it's always best to speak to the team looking after you or the team you've been referred to. You'll often find contact details at the top of your appointment letter.

For more information, you can contact our Patient Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team.

• Email: yhs-tr.PatientEDI@nhs.net
• Call: 01904 725556

PALS

If you have a concern or are not happy with the care you have received, it's important to speak to your care team first.

If you feel the issue hasn't been resolved and/or feel you would like to raise a concern or complaint with the Trust, please let our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) know.

• Online form: PALS form
• Write to us: PALS, York Hospital, Wigginton Road, York, YO31 8HE
• Telephone: 01904 726262 (available Monday to Friday, 9 - 11am)