Accessibility at Wellington Regional Hospital

We have lots of ways to help make Wellington Regional Hospital accessible for you. We offer mobility parks, NZSL interpreters, and special equipment.

 

Mobility parks at Wellington Regional Hospital

Here’s where you’ll find accessible carparks:

  • Covered parking in the main hospital building’s underground car park, near the orange lifts that lead to the atrium.
  • Uncovered parking at the back of the hospital, outside level 5 of the Grace Neill Block. These are the closest to the Eye Clinic, on level 9 of the Grace Neill Block.
  • Uncovered parking at the back of the hospital, outside the Children’s Hospital and Ward Support Block. 
  • Uncovered parking off Mein Street, outside the Orthopaedic Clinic.

 

Ask us to book an NZSL interpreter

You should use a qualified NZSL interpreter in any situations where you make important decisions. These situations include health consultations, assessments, treatments and discussions about which medicines you should have. The department you’re seeing will book the interpreter.

Te Whatu Ora pays for interpreters for hospital appointments.

iSign pays for interpreters for:

  • GP (family doctor) appointments
  • ultrasound appointments

You can ask for an NZSL interpreter to be at your appointment. We don’t recommend using a family member as an interpreter.

You can ask for a particular interpreter to be at your appointment. If the interpreter you want isn’t available, you can go ahead with the appointment with another interpreter. Otherwise, you can reschedule it for when the interpreter is available.

If you would prefer to book an interpreter yourself, you can contact iSign by phoning 0800 934 683 or emailing bookings@isign.co.nz

 

Your options if you can’t get an interpreter

Your health professional will work with you to find the best way to communicate with you. Some options include:

  • using the NZVIS Video Interpreting Service
  • delaying the appointment until you can get an interpreter
  • using note writing, online videos, gestures, lip reading, or a family member or friend to interpret; these options can be risky, so only use them as a last resort

  • Transport to your hospital appointment

    An accessible shuttle van service is available between the our hospitals in Wellington, Kenepuru, and Kāpiti.

    Read about transport between our hospitals

     

    We’ll provide the equipment you need

    If you need special equipment during your stay, such as adjustable walking frames or toilet seats, we’ll make it available. You can also ask for it during your stay.   

    Do you need equipment when you go home? Tell us before you leave and we’ll arrange it.

    Information about returning hospital equipment

     

    How to get around the hospital

    Capital & Coast

    In your appointment letter you will receive a map and directions to tell you how to get to where you need to go. There is a map on the wall in the Atrium too.

    In the atrium there is a red stand where the volunteers are based. The volunteers are willing to guide people to the correct location.

    Hutt Valley

    At the front entrance to the hospital (High Street entrance), there are volunteers available from 9am - 3pm Monday to Friday. 

    A volunteer is also available at the Health Passport helpdesk Monday to Wednesdays between 8.30am - 3pm. 

    The Hutt Hospital Emergency Department has volunteers available too. 

     

    Last updated 15 December 2023.