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Margaret Centre

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 4)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on Back Road.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 110cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 154m from the Margaret Road entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has steep ramps or slopes.
  • 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 at the rear of the car park.
    • There is not 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).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Opening Times (Margaret Centre)

  • Monday 10:00 - 20:00.
  • Tuesday 10:00 - 20:00.
  • Wednesday 10:00 - 20:00.
  • Thursday 10:00 - 20:00.
  • Friday 10:00 - 20:00.
  • Saturday 10:00 - 20:00.
  • Sunday 10:00 - 20:00.

Outside Access (Margaret Centre)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located within Margaret Road.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 120cm .
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 120cm .
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 122cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.

Entrance (Garden External Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the left before the centre entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 133cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • Wayfinding signage is available.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate.
  • The lighting levels are medium.

Day Room / Lounge Area (Day Room)

  • There is a day room/lounge area.
  • The day room/lounge area is approximately 11m from the main entrance.
  • There is level access into the day room/lounge area.
  • The day room/lounge area is always open.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the day room/lounge area.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is a space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 72cm (2ft 4in).
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • There is a television.
  • Subtitles are 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 adjustable.
  • Comments View
    • There is a visitors kitchen located within the day room.
    • There are tea and coffee making facilities available.
    • There is a microwave and fridge for visitors to use.
    • The height of the work surface is 110cms.

Ward (Palliative Care)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an Palliative Care ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 0 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 11 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 11 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) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • There is level access.
    • There is 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 adjustable.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the ward reception desk is 116cm.
    • There is a lowered section.
    • The height of the lowered section of the desk is 70cm.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • Relatives' Room View
    • There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
  • Example Side Room View
    • The side room surveyed does not have an accessible ensuite.
    • The width of the door opening into the side room is over 75cm.
    • The side room surveyed does not have a ceiling track hoist.
    • There is sufficient space next to the bed for a mobile hoist to operate.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
    • Bedside storage is available.
    • The visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is high.
    • The lighting levels in the side room are adjustable.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • A hearing assistance system can be brought in from another department/ward.
    • The ward does not play background music.
    • There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
    • A mobile hoist is available on the ward.
  • Visitor Facilities View
    • There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located within the main hospital building (Green Zone).
    • There are standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located to the right of the reception desk along the main corridor.
  • Visiting Times View
    • There are set visiting times for the ward.
    • Visiting times are 10.00am - 20.00.

Reception (Main Reception)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located beyond the main entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly 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 good.
    • The height of the reception counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm) .
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a bell to attract attention.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are provided in the reception area.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.

Entrance (Garden Internal Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the left as you enter the centre entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is stepped 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.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 120cm.
  • Step Details View
    • The step(s) is/are located at the threshold.
    • There is/are 1 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Garden Area

  • The Garden area is located to the left as you enter, straight ahead and then at the end of the corridor on the left.
  • The garden area extends around the building and has a tarmac shingle surface with a small area of wood surfacing, there are slight slopes on the pathway.

Accessible Bathroom

  • Accessible bathroom facilities are available.
  • There is/are 1 accessible bathroom(s) in this unit.
  • Location and access View
    • It was possible to access the bathroom during the survey.
    • The bathroom is unisex.
    • The bathroom is for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the accessible bathroom door.
    • The accessible bathroom is 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is level access to the accessible bathroom.
  • Features and dimensions View
    • A key is not required for the accessible bathroom.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door weight is light.
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 276cm x 216cm (9ft 1in x 7ft 1in).
    • The bathroom has a non-slip floor.
    • The bathroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm in front of the toilet seat.
    • There is not a functional emergency alarm available.
    • It is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from the floor).
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • There is a coat hook.
    • The coat hook is not within 120cm (3ft 11in) from floor level.
  • Position of fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on the left.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • 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 towel dispenser is 121cm (3ft 12in) high.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin height is 71cm (2ft 4in).
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap for the wash basin.
    • There are not mirrors in the accessible bathroom.
  • Wheel in shower details View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head height is adjustable.
    • The shower control type is twist/turn.
    • There is a flip-down/tip-up seat for the shower.
    • The flip-down or fixed seat height is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There are handrails available for the shower.
  • Colour contrast and lighting View
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Comments View
    • There are patients accessible bathrooms located at either end of the main corridor.

Standard Toilet(s) (Visitors Toilet)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s) View
    • The shared toilets that were surveyed are located on the left as you enter the Margaret Centre entrance.
    • The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Margaret Centre entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is available.
    • Lighting levels are medium.

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