This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Parking, signs and wheelchairs

Posted By SianPo

"Parking, signs and wheelchairs"

About: Lagan Valley Hospital

(as a relative),

GP booked an emergency scan for my bother who is severely disabled.  Delighted the scan was booked so promptly however when I arrived at the hospital, signage and directions were shocking.  

In addition, parking outside outpatients is all signposted as for staff only. When I asked some of the staff for details of where patients should park, they directed me to the multistory and front car park, neither of which are easily accessible for someone in a wheelchair attending outpatients.  

We also had to borrow a wheelchair as my bothers own chair does not fit in my car.  The hospital wheelchairs are another horror story as the are very heavy and have to be pulled backwards.  

Terrible way to treat people.  

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Nial Scott, Experience & Involvement Facilitator, Safe and Effective Care, South Eastern HSC Trust 5 days ago
Nial Scott
Experience & Involvement Facilitator, Safe and Effective Care,
South Eastern HSC Trust

I facilitate and champion the Involvement & Experience functions within the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 25/04/2024 at 13:17
Published on Care Opinion at 14:16

picture of Nial Scott

Hi SianPo,

My name is Nial. I am an Experience & Involvement Facilitator within the South Eastern HSC Trust, and part of that role includes responding to any person who tells their story through Care Opinion.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with our Trust. I am sorry to hear that you experienced difficulty getting to the right department within our Lagan Valley Hospital site.

I have shared your story with service leadership within Patient Experience (Security, Transport, Car Parking, Travel Planning & Portering) who fully empathise with your points raised regarding car parking and wheelchairs and have taken them under consideration for review.

Regarding hospital signage and directions, The South Eastern Trust have recognised that this is an issue for our service users, and just last week in partnership with 'AccessAble', the Trust has launched a virtual guide with over 200 Detailed Access Guides allowing patients and visitors to navigate their way around our 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. Please find link below:

www.accessable.co.uk/south-eastern-health-and-social-care-trust

Whilst I acknowledge this did not help on your previous visit, I hope this resource will provide some guidance and reassurance for any future visits you may experience to our hospital sites.

Best wishes,

Nial

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k