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"Disabled access to the hospital"

About: Belfast Health & Social Care Trust

(as a service user),

At the RVH and the lift at the underpass to access level 1 is broken!! With no indication of any alternative lifts or no immediate access to upper level without using the stairs....which is not possible for someone in a wheelchair!  Had to backtrack and thankfully bumped into another wheelchair user who was able to advise me of another lift that could be used in the carpark.   

There is no signage on the ground floor to indicate that the lift was even there, and the lift was absolutely the filthy.  It wad actually disgusting.  Then I have to go down a ramp to get out of the carpark.  There are two choices, left or right.  I chose right because the main hospital is to the right.   I get down the ramp and look at the road ahead and there is no disabled access, no lowered kerb, no zebra crossing to the hospital.  I look behind me, so I then have to backtrack to the zebra crossing outside the maternity unit.  I am now trying to push a wheelchair over uneven ground, uphill, and tactile pavement (which is hard to push a wheelchair over), and worst of all, having to pass by the numerous smokers on the hospital grounds, outside maternity and outside the main hospital entrance. 

What an absolute horlicks of an episode and all before we even get into the hospital before the appointment and just because 1 lift is out of order.   

Very very disappointing from the belfast trust and how they treat disabled persons. They could've put up a large sign at the disabled parking area that the lift was broken in the underpass and directed us to the lift in the car park.  At least it would have taken a bit of the frustration out of my experience today. 

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Responses

Response from Kevin Patterson, Patient and Client Experience Facilitator, Belfast Trust Wide, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust 3 months ago
Kevin Patterson
Patient and Client Experience Facilitator, Belfast Trust Wide,
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Submitted on 07/02/2025 at 15:49
Published on Care Opinion at 15:49


picture of Kevin Patterson

Hello indigowh34

My name is Kevin Patterson I am the facilitator for Patient and Client Experience for the Belfast Trust, I also manage the Front of House (FOH) reception in the main foyer.

I want to firstly thank you for taking the time to post your experience of visiting the Royal Victoria Hospital your experience can help us learn and change. I am so sorry that your visit to the RVH was negative and made more difficult due to access. I was made aware of the lift in the main reception being broken and that this was reported to our Estates team on the 03/02/2025 by the FOH team.

The lift in the underpass is very busy and are used frequently by those who need access to the main foyer via the car park. When this lift is out of order the main reception staff do put up signs on the lift itself on both levels and on the window as you come into the underpass.

The FOH staff have given signage to the car parking team and asked if the lift is broken to put these around areas to ensure that all staff and visitors are aware of the access issues.

I have shared your experience with other teams to ensure that you experience is learned from so that we can better the overall experience.

Many thanks

Kevin Patterson

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