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Medical Investigations Unit

St Helier Hospital, Wrythe Lane, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 1AA

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Medical Investigations Unit)

  • Medical Investigations Unit is/are located on the first floor of Block B.
  • Access to Medical Investigations Unit is via the Block A Main Entrance.
  • Enter via Block A Main Entrance and follow the corridor past two sets of double doors until you reach the lift lobby in Block B. Take the lift up to the first floor. Exit the lift and the entrance to Ward B1 (Whitfield Unit) is located on the left. Enter the unit and then take the first corridor located on the left, continue ahead to the end of the corridor and the Medical Investigations Unit is located on the right.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Medical Investigations Unit.
  • Medical Investigations Unit is approximately 45m from the Lift B.
  • There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the Block A Main Entrance and the department/service.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not 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.

Parking (Main Visitor Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the north of the hospital site, off Wrythe Lane, next to Block F - Ferguson House.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • The height of the restriction barrier is 270cm.
    • There are 20 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 240cm (width) x 466cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 131cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 39m from the Block F - Ferguson House - main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
    • This route has narrow walkways and bollards.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders but not all users.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are no electric vehicle charging points designated for Blue Badge holders.
    • There is 1 electric vehicle charging point.
    • The dimensions of the electric vehicle charging bay are 250cm (width) x 485cm (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.
    • An online account is required to use the charging point.
    • Payment can be made with a membership/loyalty card (contactless).
    • The EV charging point is operated by BP Pulse.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Block A - Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located to the side of Block A, opposite Block F - Ferguson House.
  • 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 slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 129cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 117cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There are bollards at the entrance.
  • The maximum width between them is 110cm.
  • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the main block of the hospital.

Lift (Block B Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located straight ahead as you enter the Block B - main entrance.
  • The distance from the Block B - main entrance is 25m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has a very easy slope.
  • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • The ground floor, first floor, second floor, third floor, fourth floor, fifth floor and sixth floor can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 1800kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 117cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 148cm (width) x 234cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a medium colour contrast.
    • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a list of floor services/facilities, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a mirror to aid reversing.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There are other lifts available at this location which vary in size.

Opening Times

  • Access is by appointment only.

Department / Service

  • Department / Service Access View
    • Medical Investigation Unit is located in the side corridor off the Whitfield Unit.
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the department/service.
    • The 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 114cm .
    • 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.
    • There is level access throughout the department/service.
    • There is no clear signage on the department/service.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is some flooring in the department/service which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The department/service does not play background music.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Department / Service Facilities View
    • This department/service has; consultation rooms, a waiting room/area, treatment rooms and a main reception.
    • A hearing assistance system is not available in the department/service.
    • A mobile hoist is not available on the department/service.
    • There are not accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor of Block B.
    • There are standard toilet facilities within this department/service.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located in front of you as you enter the department.
    • The reception point is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the unit 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 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 not 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.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is obstructed.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
    • No tables are permanently fixed.
    • The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
    • There is not a television.
    • Subtitles are not available.
    • Vending machines are not available.
    • A water dispenser is not available.
    • There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
    • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
    • Lighting levels are good.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Medical Investigation Unit)

  • There is / are 1 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; Treatment Room.
  • There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is not a bed / couch.
  • A hoist can be brought in from another department.
  • There is a chair.
  • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs are height adjustable.
  • All chairs have armrests available.
  • All tables are permanently fixed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • Lighting levels are good.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located within the Infusion Suite.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located on the left of the corridor before the entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 5m from the Medical Investigations Unit entrance.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • The colour contrast between the internal toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • Toilet seats do not have a high visual contrast.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
    • There are horizontal wall mounted rails available on both sides of the toilet.
    • The visual contrast of the horizontal wall mounted grab rail(s) in the ambulant cubicle(s) is low.
    • There is a/are vertical wall mounted rail(s) on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The visual contrast of the vertical wall mounted grab rails in the ambulant cubicle(s) is low.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 77cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The wall fixed soap dispenser is located above and to the right of the sink.
    • Lighting levels are good.

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