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Topaz Suite

Ashford Hospital, London Road, Ashford, Middlesex, TW15 3AA

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital (Ashford Hospital)

  • By Road View
    • Ashford Hospital is located near Heathrow Airport and is approximately 3 miles away from Junction 13 of the M25.
      From Junction 13 follow the A30 east until you reach a roundabout from where the hospital is signposted.
    • Parking Charges: Up to 20 minutes free for drop off. Up to 2 hours £4.50. 2-3 hours £5.50. 3-4 hours £6.50. 4-5 hours £7.50. 5-6 hours £8.00 Day rate (over 6 hours) £10.00 Weekly rate £25.00
      Blue Badge Parking: Blue Badge parking is free at our hospitals. Blue Badges must be displayed in your vehicle and can be shown or scanned on exit. All our disabled spaces are located close to the main hospital entrances and signs clearly direct the way for people with a disability. There is access on both sites for wheelchair users.
      At St Peter’s Hospital, disabled car parking is mainly located in the A and E car park. There is easy access into the corridor behind A and E. From here you can access the main reception area and the lift to other parts of the hospital. At Ashford, there are ramps at both the Main Entrance and the Outpatient Department entrances. Both sites have easy access to lifts.
      For those with mobility issues who find it difficult to reach our clinics or wards, wheelchairs are located at the main hospital entrances.
      Parking Concessions: We recognise that for some patients visiting our hospitals regularly car parking costs can be a burden. We therefore offer the following concessions which are applicable at both of our hospital sites: Frequent visitors: Weekly parking permit - £25.00 Patients attending Haematology / Oncology Day units: Free for period of treatment. Patients attending long term cardiac rehabilitation clinics: Free for period of treatment. Parents attending our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St Peter’s Hospital: Three weekly permit - £20.00.
  • By Bus View
    • There are regular bus services operating to Ashford Hospital from Heathrow Airport, Hounslow and other surrounding areas.
      There is a White Bus 446 service that operates between the hospitals but this is only free for staff use.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest train stations to the hospital are in Ashford (approximately 1.6km away) or Staines (approximately 3.2km away).
      Both stations are on the main bus routes.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance

  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request and large print on request.
  • BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Language interpreters can be provided on request.

Parking (Main Visitors Car Park)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Parking is not free for all users.
  • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot be booked in advance.
  • There is/are 11 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 380cm x 500cm (12ft 6in x 16ft 5in).
  • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main hospital entrance.
  • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 45m (49yd 8in) from the main hospital entrance.
  • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
  • The car park surface is block paving.
  • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • There is a designated drop off point.
  • The drop off point is located in front of the main entrance.

Getting To (Topaz Suite)

  • The Topaz Suite is/are located on the ground floor of the Ward Block.
  • Access to the Topaz Suite is via the main entrance.
  • From the main entrance, proceed past reception and through the automatic double doors into the lift lobby.
    Turn left and follow the corridor.
    The entrance to the Topaz Suite is on your right hand side.
  • There is step free access to the Topaz Suite.
  • The Topaz Suite is approximately 26m from the main entrance.
  • There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the main entrance and the department/service.
  • There are resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.

Outside Access (Ashford Hospital Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The width of the door opening is 186cm (6ft 1in).
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 186cm (6ft 1in).
  • Comments View
    • There is a dark mat between both sets of entrance doors.
    • There are wheelchairs to borrow at this entrance.

Opening Times (Topaz Suite)

  • Access is by appointment only.

Department / Service (Topaz Suite)

  • Department / Service Access View
    • The Topaz Suite is located on the ground floor of the Ward Block.
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the department/service.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 145cm.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 122cm (4ft).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • There is level access throughout the department/service.
    • Staff can provide assistance with using any manual doors within the department/service.
    • There is clear signage on the department/service.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is flooring in the department/service which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The department/service does not play background music.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Department / Service Facilities View
    • This department/service has; a main reception, a waiting room/area, consultation rooms and accessible toilet facilities for everyone.
    • There are 5 consultation/treatment rooms in this department/service.
    • A hearing assistance system is not available in the department/service.
    • A mobile hoist is not available on the department/service.
    • There are accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
    • There are not standard toilet facilities within this department/service.

Entrance (Reception)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located ahead from the Topaz Suite entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located ahead from the Topaz Suite entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Topaz Suite entrance.
    • Clear signage for the reception area/desk is not visible from the entrance.
    • There is step free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are no windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are moderate to good.
    • The height of the reception counter is low (76cm or lower).
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a bell to attract attention.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There is bench seating and single seats without armrests.
    • No tables are permanently fixed.
    • The waiting room / area does have background music playing.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
    • There is not a television.
    • Vending machines are not available.
    • A water dispenser is available.
    • There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Consultation Rooms)

  • There is / are 5 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; Iris.
  • There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
  • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is a bed / couch.
  • The bed / couch is adjustable.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
  • There are no chairs with armrests available.
  • All tables are permanently fixed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located along the department corridor.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 9m from the Topaz Suite entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is low.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 83cm (2ft 9in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is low.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 195cm x 168cm (6ft 5in x 5ft 6in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 84cm.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is medium.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the left.
    • There is not a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is medium.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is medium.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are clinical waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 167cm from the floor.
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is not a mirror.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a backrest.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 43cm (1ft 5in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 94cm (3ft 1in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 78cm (2ft 7in).
    • There are no vertical wall-mounted grab rails at the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is twist/turn.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 107cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 118cm (3ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is medium.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a flip down baby change table available.
    • The height of the baby change table is 86cm.

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