The South Eastern Trust in partnership with ‘AccessAble’, has launched a virtual guide with over 200 Detailed Access Guides allowing patients and visitors to navigate their way around the Ulster, Downe, Downshire, Ards, Bangor and Lagan Valley Hospital sites. These guides mark a significant step forward in enhancing accessibility and inclusivity for patients, visitors, and staff across hospital sites in the South Eastern Trust area.
The Detailed Access Guides provide essential information, comprising facts, figures and photographs to help anyone who is planning to travel to and around the hospitals. Covering a wide range of issues, such as parking facilities, assistive listening devices, walking distances and accessible toilets, these guides serve as invaluable resources for those navigating the hospital environment.
Highlighting the importance of accessibility to hospital sites, Assistant Director of Estates, Ryan Conlan said, “We are delighted to work in partnership with AccessAble to produce Detailed Access Guides for our hospital facilities across the Trust area.
“It is incredibly important to us that we meet the needs of everyone who visits our hospital sites. We are ambitious about creating an environment that is as supportive, anticipatory and equitable as possible. The information and guides that AccessAble has developed will help our patients, visitors and staff visit our Trust sites with confidence and improve their experience.”
Chief Executive of AccessAble, Anna Nelson added, “We are thrilled to launch this landmark partnership with South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
“I would like to express my thanks to the Trust for championing the provision of hospital accessibility information and demonstrating what can be achieved through collaborative working and co-production.
“There is a real opportunity now to roll this programme further across Northern Ireland to ensure disabled people and carers have the information they need, regardless of the healthcare service they visit.”
The Detailed Access Guides will help streamline the hospital experience, providing a more inclusive environment and empowering people with the knowledge they need to navigate hospital sites with confidence.
Through this partnership, the South Eastern Trust reaffirms its commitment to delivering patient-centred care and providing a welcoming environment for all.
For more information about the Detailed Access Guides or to access them online, please visit South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust | AccessAble