21,000 uses and counting: Charity backs accessible hospital guides for another three years
Chesterfield Royal Hospital Trust Charity is funding a further three years of detailed accessibility information to help patients, visitors and colleagues plan their journeys to and around the hospital with greater confidence and independence.
The Charity is investing £11,454 to continue Chesterfield Royal Hospital's partnership with AccessAble, helping ensure comprehensive accessibility information about the hospital remains accurate, up to date and continues to grow.
The Trust has worked with AccessAble since 2022, with Chesterfield Royal's accessibility information accessed 21,000 times over the past three years.
The online guides provide detailed information to help people understand what to expect before arriving at hospital, including parking, entrances, internal routes, lifts, accessible toilets, seating, signage, lighting and hearing support systems. Each guide is based on an in-person assessment and provides factual accessibility information. AccessAble describes its Detailed Access Guides as being based on facts, figures and photographs gathered by trained surveyors.
The renewed partnership will provide updated assessments across the hospital estate, refresh existing information and enable eight new access guides to be added each year, alongside larger images and 360-degree photography.
The information is particularly valuable for people with disabilities, long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, neurodivergence and mobility difficulties, as well as anyone who may feel anxious about navigating an unfamiliar healthcare environment.
Elaine Jeffers, Chair of the Trust’s Charity and Non-Executive Director, said: “This is a really good example of the difference charitable funding can make beyond core NHS provision. Coming to hospital can already be worrying without having the added uncertainty of whether you can park, find the right entrance, access a toilet or navigate your way to an appointment.
“By funding AccessAble for a further three years, Chesterfield Royal Hospital Trust Charity is helping give people practical information before they even leave home. It is about dignity, confidence and independence, and helping make Chesterfield Royal a more welcoming and inclusive place for everyone.”
The Trust first launched its AccessAble guides in 2023, with the original project also supported by Chesterfield Royal Hospital Trust Charity.
Rachel Walker, Patient Experience Advisor, added: “We know that everyone's accessibility needs are different. What can seem like a small detail, such as knowing the distance from a car park, what an entrance looks like, whether there is suitable seating or where an accessible toilet is located, can make a significant difference when somebody is planning a hospital visit.
“The guides give people detailed information so they can plan ahead and make informed decisions about their visit. The fact they have been accessed 21,000 times over the last three years shows just how valuable that information is. We're incredibly grateful to the Charity for enabling us to continue and develop this work.”
The three-year partnership will also provide ongoing professional surveying and updated information as hospital facilities and services change, helping the Trust identify potential accessibility improvements and consider accessibility as part of future capital and refurbishment work. The guides are designed to help patients, visitors and colleagues plan their journeys to and around the hospital.
Chesterfield Royal Hospital's Accessibility Guides can be accessed online through AccessAble – and can follow the link from the Trust’s website: Getting here :: Chesterfield Royal Hospital.
Every donation helps Chesterfield Royal Hospital Trust Charity go above and beyond for patients, families and colleagues. If you’ve been inspired by the difference projects like AccessAble can make, find out how you can support the Charity, from making a donation to fundraising or getting involved in one of its events.
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