Scarborough Hospital offers online accessibility guide

Patients and visitors with disabilities who need to go to Scarborough Hospital will now find it much easier to plan their journeys thanks to new online accessibility guides.

Detailed access guides to facilities, wards and departments have been created to provide information for disabled people, regardless of impairment, when they come to hospital.

The guides have been commissioned by the hospital from specialist company AccessAble, and are based on information asked for by disabled people and carers.  Facts, figures and photographs have been researched and checked in person by trained surveyors.

David Biggins, inclusive buildings lead at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust who runs Scarborough Hospital, said:  “These useful access guides will allow disabled people, carers and indeed anybody visiting or using the Scarborough Hospital site to gain information on the accessibility of our hospital and its grounds.  It includes important factors such as accessible parking provision, toilets, hearing induction systems and pedestrian routes around the site.”

Anna Nelson, Executive Director of AccessAble, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to pilot our service at Scarborough Hospital. We are committed to improving the information on offer to patients, visitors and staff who need to know more about accessibility in advance of their visit.  I know that the Trust is passionate about improving patient experience and care for everyone and we see our service playing a crucial part.

“I would like to thank the Trust’s Charity, Equality and Diversity Committee and Estates team for all their help and support.  We look forward to developing the service across the Trust and working with staff and patients to make it the best it can be.”

Scarborough Hospital’s accessibility guide can be found on their website https://www.accessable.co.uk/york-teaching-hospital-nhs-foundation-trust.  It is also available via the AccessAble App, which is free to download from the App Store and Google Play, and can be used throughout the hospital visit.

York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has funded the scheme thanks to York Teaching Hospital Charity, and plans to roll out guides for the rest of its hospitals.

16 July 2020