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PALS Office

Colchester General Hospital , Turner Road , Colchester, Essex, CO4 5JL

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital (Colchester Hospital)

  • By Road View
    • 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.

  • By Bus View
    • 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.
  • By Train View
    • 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.

  • Useful Links View

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.

Hospital Parking (Main Visitor Car Park)

  • Parking View
    • 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.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • 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.
  • Paying View
    • 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).
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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.

Getting To (PALS Office)

  • The PALS Office is/are located on the first floor, in the main hospital block corridor.
  • Access to the PALS Office is via the Main Hospital entrance.
  • Enter via the Main Hospital entrance and carry on straight ahead through the double doors. Take the lifts on the right to the first floor. Exit the lifts and turn right through a set of double doors. Carry on down the corridor and the PALS Office is located on the right.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to the PALS Office.
  • The PALS Office is approximately 30m from the lift.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the lift 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.

Outside Access (Main Hospital Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building facing the main visitor car park.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • 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.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 172cm.
    • 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.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 168cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading to the main entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
  • Comments View
    • The slight slope on the pavement leading to the entrance cambers from the centre.
    • There are face mask dispensers located on the left next to the hand sanitisers, in between the 2 entrance doors set at 127cm from the floor.
    • There are 2 pedal bins available next to the face mask dispensers for patients and visitors to dispose of used masks when they leave the hospital.
    • Please note the pavement leading from the car parks to the main hospital entrance is very slippery when wet.

Other Floors (Stairwell 2)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, single 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 and 1.
    • 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 not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Lift (Main Hospital Block Lifts)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the main hospital block corridor as you enter through the Main Hospital Entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the Main Hospital 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 and 1.
  • 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 good.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is fair.
  • The clear door width is 130cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 160cm x 268cm.
  • 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 a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Opening Times (PALS Office)

  • Monday 09:00 - 16:00.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 16:00.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 16:00.
  • Friday 09:00 - 16:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Entrance (PALS Office)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the first floor, in the main hospital block corridor.
    • 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 a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 140cm (4ft 7in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main 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 74cm.

Conference / Meeting Facilities (PALS Office)

  • Conference/meeting facilities are available.
  • The conference/meeting facilities are located on the first floor of the main hospital block, in the PALS Office.
  • There is step-free access to the conference/meeting facilities, via lift.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are under 75cm for the room(s).
  • There is a hearing assistance system for the room(s) available on request.
  • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the room(s).
  • The lighting levels in the room(s) are good.
  • There is also a PALS meeting room on the ground floor of the main hospital block next to the Main Hospital entrance. If you wish to meet at the PALS meeting room on the ground floor this is only done by appointment as this meeting room is not staffed.

Accessible Toilet

  • The nearest accessible toilet is located on the ground floor, to the right of the Main Hospital entrance.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • The nearest standard toilet is located on the first floor, in the adjacent corridor to the PALS Office.

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