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Mistley Ward

Colchester General Hospital, Dame Clare Marx Building, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JL

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Mistley Ward)

  • The most accessible route from the Elmstead and Dame Clare Marx Building accessible parking and drop-off point has step-free level access, a dropped kerb with tactile paving, bollards and a pedestrian crossing.
  • View further information about parking at the hospital (opens new tab).
  • Access to the Mistley Ward is via the Dame Clare Marx Building entrance.
  • There is a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • View further information about entrances (opens new tab).
  • Mistley Ward is located on the first floor of the Dame Clare Marx Building.
  • Mistley Ward is approximately 10m from the lift (lifts 4 and 5).
  • Enter via the Dame Clare Marx Building entrance, and continue ahead past the reception area and through the double doors.
  • Follow the corridor then turn right through the double doors to lifts 4 and 5.
  • Take a lift to the first floor.
  • On exiting the lift, go ahead through the double doors.
  • The entrance to Mistley Ward is ahead on the left.
  • Internally the most accessible route has step-free level access, a lift and manual doors.
  • There are resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The following toilet facilities are available along the route; a toilet with adaptations (with left hand transfer) and a toilet with adaptations (with right hand transfer).
  • View information about accessible toilet facilities in public areas (opens new tab).
  • View more information on getting to and around the hospital (opens new tab).

Parking (Elmstead and Dame Clare Marx Building Accessible Parking and Drop-Off Point)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on the left side of the hospital grounds.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac and block paving.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 468cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 127cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 25m from Elmstead Entrance 1.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has steep ramps or slopes, uneven surfaces and a pedestrian crossing.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located on the left side of the hospital grounds.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the drop-off point.

Entrance (Dame Clare Marx Building Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the Dame Clare Marx Building.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 113cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 148cm.
  • The doors have a low 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.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the Dame Clare Marx Building.

Lift (Dame Clare Marx Building - Lifts 4 and 5)

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead past reception, along the corridor, then round to right.
  • The distance from the Dame Clare Marx Building entrance is 30m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • The ground, first and second floors 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 160cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 178cm (width) x 269cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • Some of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Ward (Mistley Ward)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is an elective orthopaedics and trauma ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There are 3 bays available.
    • There are 14 side rooms available.
    • There are 20+ beds in total on the ward.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this ward.
    • There is an intercom at a height of 145cm.
    • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 111cm.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 136cm.
    • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
    • The doors open towards you.
    • The width of the opening is 178cm.
    • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 112cm.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • Reception / Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the desk is 113cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the desk.
    • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
    • The desk has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • Seating available on the ward includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • The hoist is mobile.
    • There is a relatives' room for the ward.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: a standard toilet and washrooms.
    • The nearest toilet with adaptations for visitors is located along the first floor corridor of the Dame Clare Marx Building, then to the left.
  • Visiting Hours View

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Mistley Ward)

Room (Interview Room)

  • The room is located to the left of the reception desk.
  • The distance from the Mistley Ward entrance is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 86cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests and armchairs.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: coffee tables.
  • The surface heights are not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Bedroom and Ensuite with Adaptations (Room 10)

  • Bedroom Access View
    • The bedroom surveyed is located along the Mistley Ward corridor, on the left.
    • The most accessible route to the bedroom has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into the bedroom.
    • There is written text and numbered signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm.
  • Bedroom Features View
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre next to the bed (150cm x 150cm).
    • The following is available in this bedroom: a chair with armrests, a height adjustable bed and bedside plug sockets.
    • There is a push button emergency alarm.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.
    • This bedroom does not have an adjoining room.
  • Ensuite Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the ensuite.
    • The ensuite door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening to the ensuite is 87cm.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Ensuite Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the ensuite are 250cm (width) x 188cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 148cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush on the wall above the cistern.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 85cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 95cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The ensuite has a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • The ensuite has a wheel-in shower.
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a fixed height shower head.
    • The shower controls are twist/turn.
    • There is a flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 52cm from the floor.
    • There is a grab rail and a dropdown rail for the shower.
    • The shower grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The shower dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower within 10cm from the floor.

Bathroom with Adaptations (Bay C - Shower Room)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located in Bay C.
    • The most accessible route to the bathroom has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the bathroom.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 94cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 365cm (width) x 220cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet, however the left side is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 154cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • The lateral transfer space on the right is 166cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush on the wall above the cistern.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 85cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 81cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 95cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 137cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The bathroom has a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • The bathroom has a wheel-in shower.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a fixed height shower head.
    • The shower controls are twist/turn.
    • There is a flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There are dropdown rails for the shower.
    • The shower dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a powered overhead hoist leading from one of the beds in Bay C to the washroom.
    • The hoist covers all areas of the washroom.