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Bracken Ward

Whipps Cross University Hospital, Whipps Cross Road, Leytonstone, London, E11 1NR

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Access Guide

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Overview (Whipps Cross University Hospital)

  • About View
    • This is a hospital with multiple services available.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: wards, departments, a shop, restaurant and coffee shop.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: There is a slight slope to access vending machines off the main corridor on the ground floor. There is also a slight slope to access the outpatients building via the link bridge.
    • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
    • The lower ground floor, ground floor, first floor and second floor can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is no hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
    • British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: Braille (on request), large print (on request) and different languages (on request).
    • The hospital volunteers operate a buggy service to drive patients with mobility difficulties between the Hospital Main Building, Outpatients and other buildings on the hospital site.
      The buggy can carry patients and their folded wheelchair or other mobility aids.
      Staff at any department or reception can contact the volunteer service.
      Porters can also be called to assist patients who are unable to transfer out of their own wheelchair or who require a hospital wheelchair.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: a pay phone and Wi-Fi.

Parking (Car Park 1)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Hospital Road.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 240cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • The hatched/marked zones vary between bays.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 11m from the main hospital entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
    • There are 5 clearly marked steps from the standard bays in the car park to the hospital main entrance that can be bypassed by going back through the car park and round to the right. The steps are 15cm in height and have handrails on both sides.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Free parking for Blue Badge holders is restricted to 5 hours. No return within 3 hours.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located in the centre of the car park.
    • There is a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a level manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user in front of the payment machine (185cm x 210cm).
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There is 1 electric vehicle charging point.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 240cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • The controls are not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points require tap and pay (contactless payment).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Getting To (Bracken Ward)

  • Bracken Ward is/are located on the first floor of Pink Zone.
  • Access to Bracken Ward is via the Hospital Main Entrance.
  • On entering the hospital main entrance go past reception and turn left on to the main corridor. Continue ahead to Junction 7 and take the lift to the first floor. On exiting the lift the ward is located ahead.
  • There is step free access to Bracken Ward.
  • Bracken Ward is approximately 5m from the Lift B - Junction 7 - Pink Zone.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Dementia friendly signage is provided.
  • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located off Hospital Road.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy ramp at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 113cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 117cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 156cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Exit (Main Entrance)

  • The exit area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the exit.
  • There is a single automatic door at this exit.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 128cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 115cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you exit.

Lift (Junction 8 - No.7)

  • The lift surveyed is located along the main corridor at junction 8.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 300m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • The ground floor, first floor and second floor are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 129cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 164cm (width) x 242cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Ward

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a female ward.
    • There is/are 2 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 19 bed(s) on this ward in total.
  • Ward Access View
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 151cm (4ft 11in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 125cm (4ft 1in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 141cm (4ft 8in).
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • There is no clear signage on the ward.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is some flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 89cm.
    • There is not a lowered section.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • A hearing assistance system is not available on the ward.
    • The ward does not play background music.
    • There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
  • Visitor Facilities View
    • There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located next to lift C in Red Zone.
    • There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located at Junction 8 of Pink Zone.
  • Visiting Times View
    • There are set visiting times for the ward.
    • Visiting times are 14:30 - 19:30.
    • The visiting times are the same for each day.

Washroom (Ward Shower)

  • Washroom Details View
    • The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower and a wash basin.
    • There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
    • This washroom is shared.
    • There is written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
    • The washroom door(s) open(s) outwards.
    • The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 83cm (2ft 9in).
    • The dimensions of the washroom are 143cm x 201cm (4ft 8in x 6ft 7in).
    • The washroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is within reach and fully functional.
    • There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
    • There is not a coat hook in the washroom.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The height of the wash basin is 86cm.
    • There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the wash basin.
    • The tap type is lever. It is a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 90cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 109cm.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • Disposal facilities are not available.
    • The washroom has a non-slip floor.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The shower control type is twist/turn.
    • There is a flip-down/tip-up seat for the shower.
    • The height of the flip-down/tip-up or fixed seat is 54cm (1ft 9in).
    • There are wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
    • The visual contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is high.
    • The visual contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is high.
    • The visual contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
    • Lighting levels are bright.

Standard Toilet(s)

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