Overview

Freeman Hospital is named for farmer Patrick Freeman, who tilled the land which is now occupied by the hospital in the first half of the 19th century. Located close to Freeman park, it's a busy teaching hospital on the outskirts of the town cenre. This review is specific to the Changing Places toilet but will contain generall access information

Transport & Parking

There are plenty of accessible parking spaces at this location, and parking is free for Blue Badge holders, although you'll need to have your parking validated by taking your badge to the main reception. For this reason, you are advised to display your Blue Badge time clock in your vehicle. There are three taxi spaces just outside the main entrance and plenty of places to be dropped off nearby. There is a bus stop on Freeman Road, close to the yellow car park, where the 6, 7, 18, 37, 38, 352, 553, and 653 bus services operate. An additional stop is located near the exit, but only the 553 and 653 services stop here.

Access

The main entrance to the hospital has a large revolving door, which is used by everyone from patients to ambulance crew. It was interesting to see ambulance staff pushing a hospital bed through the doors while they turned, and five other people rushed in. There is a button to slow the door down on the right of the door, which is helpful, although there were a few bemused faces when I used it, as it then became too slow! You'll find level and step-free access throughout the building, and the Changing Places toilet is on the right as you enter. The door has braille markings on the outside.

Toilets

The toilet is accessed with a RADAR key and features a folding door, which I always find awkward to operate as a wheelchair user, especially when trying to get back out. This Changing Places toilet features a ceiling track hoist, an adjustable changing bed, and a shower. The sink is also adjustable and has rails on both sides. The toilet does not have a backrest and features grab rails on both sides. In all instances, the grab rails are silver, which contrasts slightly against the blue walls, but they could benefit from a more striking contrast. There is space for both right-side and left-side transfers, but a wheeled shower chair is in the left-side transfer space, and a bin is in the right-side transfer space. A colostomy shelf is located to the left when seated, as is the red emergency cord, which hung to the floor without obstruction. The toilet has everything you need, but the shower chair and waste bin could be better placed to allow use of the transfer spaces.

Staff

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Whilst not Changing Places toilet specific, the doorway to the hospital was just absolutely filled with smokers. Seeing as it's the most direct route to the Changing Places toilet, this felt worth mentioning. I think this is extremely unpleasant and just the worst way to arrive at a place specifically built to support health and wellbeing.

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