Access Guide
Getting To The Hospital (Colchester Hospital)
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By Road
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- The hospital is located on Turner Road to the north of Colchester. The post code for sat nav users is CO4 5JL.
The hospital can be easily reached from both the North and West of Colchester, via the A12 and is well signed. There are several routes in from the A12 which will take you to the hospital site. From the East use the A120 and the South the A133, both again are well signed for the hospital. The main route in uses the A134 which takes you almost directly to the hospital site.
- There is one large main car park on site accessed off Turner Road along with several smaller sites adjacent to the Gainsborough Building.
Blue Badge bays are available in the main car park and are also spread around the site close to most of the building entrances.
The main visitor’s car park operates an ANPR system. The barriers will open automatically to allow you in. If you are a Blue Badge holder, you have to report to the main reception just inside the main hospital block entrance and present your badge, where they will then log you in to the system so you do not have to pay. The barriers will automatically open when you exit.
If you are not a Blue Badge holder, before returning to your car you must pay at one of the payment machines located either in the car park or at the main hospital entrance. The barriers will then automatically open as you leave the car park.
The smaller accessible car parks located around the hospital site are free to Blue Badge holders. All badges must be displayed in the car window. You will not need to go through the barrier system for these car parks, so you will not have to report to the main hospital reception.
There are three pay on exit machines. One is located under the canopy just outside the main hospital entrance, one is just inside the main hospital entrance and the other is in front of the visitor car park, across the footbridge and to the left-hand side as you walk out of the hospital.
- The hospital is located on Turner Road to the north of Colchester. The post code for sat nav users is CO4 5JL.
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By Bus
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- There are several bus services which run to the hospital and use the on-site bus stops.
Stop 1 services are the 8, S1, S2 and 68. Stop 2 services are the 68, 84 and 84B.There is also a bus stop on Turner Road opposite the main hospital car park. The services that stop here are 8, S1, S2, 68, 80, 81, 81A, 84 and 84A.
All buses from City Centre to Hospital stop at the bus stop on Turner Road. All buses from the Hospital go from the onsite bus stops which are a short walk from main hospital building. - There is an onsite bus stop.
- The onsite bus stop is located to the left of the main hospital entrance.
- There are 2 onsite bus shelters on the south entrance road. There is fixed seating in the bus shelters.
- There are several bus services which run to the hospital and use the on-site bus stops.
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By Train
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- The nearest train station is Colchester, approximately 1.9km from the hospital site.
It is approximately a 25 minute walk.
There are several bus services which run from the train station to the hospital from Stand A. These include the 8, S1 and S2.
There are several taxi services which run from the train station.
- The nearest train station is Colchester, approximately 1.9km from the hospital site.
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Useful Links
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- Google map of Hospital.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Traveline Website to plan your journey.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Route by foot from Colchester Train Station to the hospital.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Greater Anglia Journey Planner.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance (Colchester General Hospital)
- To see the hospital map please click here (opens new tab).
- There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
- The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located on the first floor of the Main Hospital Block, with the PALS Meeting Room to the left of the Main Hospital Reception Desk on the ground floor of the Main Hospital Block.
- The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 0800 7837 3828.
- The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is [email protected].
- There are not volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
- Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, Makaton on request, different languages on request, voice recognition CD on request and audio on request.
- There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available on request.
- BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
- Language interpreters can be provided on request.
- A mobility scooter charging point is not available at the hospital.
- Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
- To obtain mobility aids please contact a member of staff.
- There is a Changing Places facility at this hospital which is located on the ground floor of the Gainsborough Wing.
- To view the Changing Places Accessibility Guide please click here.
- Ongoing building works (2024)
As of 2024 there are ongoing building works across the hospital which may affect access points and routes to hospital areas.
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Hospital Parking (Main Visitor Car Park)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car park is located at the front of the main hospital block.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park does have a barrier control system.
- The barrier controls/touchscreen can be reached from the car.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
- There is/are 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 322cm x 511cm (10ft 7in x 16ft 9in).
- There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
- The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is a designated drop-off point.
- The drop-off point is located outside the Urgent Treatment Centre entrance.
- There is not a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
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Paying
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- There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
- Payment signs are provided.
- Payment signs are clearly presented.
- Payment signs are located at the payment machines in the car park.
- Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- Free parking for Blue Badge holders is for 30 minutes only.
- Payment machines are located at the front of the car park.
- There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
- There is not a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
- To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
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Access to the Hospital
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- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is/are uneven surfaces.
- The hospital entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
- The route from the car park to the hospital entrance is clearly signposted.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 47m (51yd 1ft) from the main hospital entrance.
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Comments
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- This car park operates an ANPR system. The barriers will open automatically to allow you in. If you are a Blue Badge holder, you have to report to the main reception just inside the main hospital block entrance and present your badge, where they will then log you in to the system so you do not have to pay. The barriers will automatically open when you exit.
- If you are not a Blue Badge holder, before returning to your car you must pay at one of the payment machines located in the car park, the barriers will then automatically open as you leave the car park.
- ?The height of the controls for the payment machines are between 60cm and 143cm.
- This car park operates an ANPR system. The barriers will open automatically to allow you in. If you are a Blue Badge holder, you have to report to the main reception just inside the main hospital block entrance and present your badge, where they will then log you in to the system so you do not have to pay. The barriers will automatically open when you exit.
Hospital Parking (Gainsborough Wing Accessible Car Park)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
- The car park is located just across the road from the Gainsborough Wing.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park does not have a barrier control system.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
- There is/are 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 378cm x 617cm.
- There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
- The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop-off point.
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Paying
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- There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
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Access to the Hospital
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- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is/are dropped kerbs.
- The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 26m (28yd 1ft) from the Gainsborough Wing entrance.
Getting To (Easthorpe Ward)
- The Easthorpe Ward is/are located on the first floor of the Gainsborough Wing.
- Access to the Easthorpe Ward is via the Gainsborough Wing entrance.
- Enter the Gainsborough Wing entrance and follow the signage to the lifts. Take the lift to the first floor. On exiting the lift go forward through the double doors in front of you. Immediately turn right and go through the next set of double doors directly in front of you. Follow the corridor around, walking past the toilets and turning right. Go through the double doors and follow the corridor straight. Keep walking through the corridor taking the right turning and go through the double doors at the end. The Easthorpe Ward will be directly ahead of you.
- There is step free access, via lift, to the Easthorpe Ward.
- The Easthorpe Ward is approximately 62m from the lift.
- There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the Gainsborough Wing entrance and the department/service.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
- There is some 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.
Outside Access (Gainsborough Wing Main Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is 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 not a bell/buzzer.
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 148cm .
- There is not a hand sanitiser.
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 154cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 154cm.
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Ramp/Slope Details
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
Other Floors (Main)
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Stairs
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- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
- There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1 and 2.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
- The lighting levels are good.
Lift (Main)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the left as you enter the Gainsborough Wing main entrance.
- Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Gainsborough Wing main entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G,1,2.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
- There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
- Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
- The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
- The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
- The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
- The clear door width is 126cm.
- The dimensions of the lift are 165cm x 271cm.
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is good.
Reception (Easthorpe Ward)
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Reception
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- The reception point is located in the wards main corridor.
- The reception point is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Easthorpe Ward 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 high (110cm+) .
- 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 not provided in the reception area.
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Reception Waiting Area
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- There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.
Ward (Easthorpe Ward)
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Ward Information
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- This is a/an general medical/Diabetes ward.
- This is a shared ward.
- There is/are 3 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 9 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 21 bed(s) on this ward in total.
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Ward Access
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- There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
- The automatic door(s) is/are push pad activated.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in).
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 133cm (4ft 4in).
- There is a door release button when exiting.
- The height of the door release button is 91cm (2ft 12in).
- There is level access throughout the ward.
- There is no clear signage on the ward.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The lighting levels are varied.
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Reception/Nurses' Station
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- The height of the ward reception desk is 114cm.
- There is a lowered section.
- The height of the lowered section of the desk is 71cm.
- There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
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Relatives' Room
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- There is a relatives' room for the ward.
- The width of the door opening into the relatives' room is over 75cm.
- There is a clear turning space in the relatives' room.
- There is a/are chair(s) with armrests available within the relatives' room.
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Example Side Room
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- There are multiple side rooms available with accessible ensuites.
- The side room surveyed does 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 not 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 colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is medium.
- The lighting levels in the side room are bright.
- The width of the door opening into the ensuite is over 75cm.
- There is not a clear unobstructed turning space within the ensuite.
- The fixtures/facilities available in the ensuite include; a shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the ensuite is high.
- The lighting levels in the ensuite are medium.
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Ward Features and Patient Facilities
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- 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.
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Visitor Facilities
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- There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located on the first floor of the Gainsborough Wing.
- There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located on the first floor of the Gainsborough Wing.
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Visiting Times
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- There are set visiting times for the ward.
- Visiting times are 11:00 to 20:00.
- The visiting times are the same for each day.
- Protected meal times are between 12:00 to 13:00.
Day Room / Lounge Area (Easthorpe Ward)
- There is a day room/lounge area.
- The day room/lounge area is approximately 3m from the Easthorpe Ward 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.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 78cm (2ft 7in).
- 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.
- Some tables are permanently fixed.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 10cm (4in).
- The distance between the floor and the highest table is 70cm (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 bright.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Main Hospital Block link (new tab) - click here.
- Hospital Parking link (new tab) - click here.
- Gainsborough Wing link (new tab) - click here.