NRH Accessibility Awareness Day
December 7, 2021
The NRH Accessibility Committee
The NRH Accessibility committee is a diverse group of stakeholder and staff representatives who meet every two months to address accessibility goals and issues for our patients and staff within the NRH, and in the community, in the following categories:
- Architecture
- Environment
- Awareness
- Community Integration
- Employment
- Finance
- Information and Communication
Accessibility Standards and Improvement Plans
Accessibility is a CARF Accreditation standard and the work of the committee is assessed as part of each CARF survey. The committee develop an Access plan each year and report to the hospital Executive Committee and Board.
Stakeholder Feedback
Most of the work of the Accessibility Committee is based on responding to feedback from patients, visitors and staff. Just some of the work that the committee has been involved with this year in response to this feedback includes:
- The hospital arranged or for the lift company to adjust the time it takes for the lift doors to close, from 12 seconds to 19 seconds, based on feedback that the doors closed too quickly for patients with limited mobility. An assessment with the participation of patients showed us the amount of time needed to access the lifts comfortably for all.
- A submission was made to Dun Laoghaire County Council for additional road signage to the NRH.
- New safety rails have been installed in the Prosthetics Outpatient Clinic toilet facility
Access Officers
There are two Access Officers in the NRH who can answer specific queries about accessibility issues. Please contact:-
- Mary Galvin or Lisa Held.
New Hospital Development
The Accessibility Committee subgroup was very involved with the design team in the design of accessibility features in the new hospital. These include:
- Changing places (enhanced facilities for people who cannot use standard accessible toilet facilities). This includes:-
- An adult sized changing table
- Ceiling hoist
- Shower and privacy screen
- Peninsular toilet – this allows a person to get assistance and allows for someone either side of the toilet
- Additional circulation space
- Dog Assist Area
- Bedrooms with environmental controls
- App to control access to the lifts
Key Achievements 2021
We were delighted that in November, the NRH was the recipient of the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI) ‘Building for All’ award for Universal Design. This award is a recognition of the work of this committee and the Design Team, along with our Access Consultants, in pushing the boundaries to ensure the hospital has additional and best practice features of Accessible design throughout.
Dave Donoghue, Technical Services Department and Executive Committee member presented to the Health and Safety Authority (HAS) on the mock-up room project.
Key Projects 2022
- Embed Accessible Communication Policy
- Plan for replacement of NRH accessible hospital vehicle fleet
- Development of Patient orientation booklet to bedrooms
- Introduction of ‘JAM’ (Just A Minute card) to the NRH