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Bedford Road Clinic

Bedford Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire , SG5 1HF

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Access Guide

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Summary

  • This is a health centre.
  • Services on the ground floor include: Children's and Young People's Speech and Language Therapy, Health Visiting, Adult Diabetes, Lymphoedema Services, Leg Ulcer Service, Adult Bladder and Bowel Care, Nutrition & Dietetics and Skin Health. Other services include Podiatry, Phlebotomy, Women’s Health, Palliative Care, CAMHS team, Children’s Ophthalmology, Pain Management, Looked After Children’s Service and Cardio.

Getting Here (Bedford Road Clinic)

  • By Road View
    • From the A1(M) come off onto the A602 and follow the road all the way to the A505/Old Park Road. This road is one way, bends round to the right and joins onto Bedford Road. Bedford Road Clinic is on the left side opposite Waitrose.
    • There is parking at the venue for staff permit holders only. There is a pay and display car park located along Bedford Road which is called Christchurch Car Park.
  • By Bus View
    • The nearest bus stop is Waitrose. The buses that run to this stop are 9A, 9B, 89, 89A, 304, 314, W12 and W12B.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest train station is Hitchin. This train station is 1.3 miles away from Bedford Road Clinic. This station is served by Great Northern and Thameslink.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance

  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • British Sign Language interpreters cannot be provided on request.
  • Language interpreters cannot be provided on request.
  • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; Braille on request and large print on request.
  • An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
  • There is not a wheelchair to borrow to use around the building.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • Home visits services are not available.

Parking (Staff Parking)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • There is/are 2 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • 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 slopes/ramps.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • On Street Parking and Drop-off Details View
    • On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The car park is for staff permit holders only.

Public Parking

  • Public Car Park View
    • There is a car park for public use within approximately 200m (219yd).
    • The public car park is located on Bedford Road.
    • The name of the car park is Christchurch.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • 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 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 not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The automatic door(s) is/are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 89cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up the ramp.
  • Comments View
    • There are sensor activated pads to enter and exit the main entrance. They are 105cm high.
    • There is an additional ramp to the left of the Main Entrance that also provides access to the Main Entrance level.
    • The ramp is steep.
    • The ramp has a width of 119cm.
    • The ramp has handrails on both sides. The handrail on the left going up is not continuous.
    • The hand sanitiser is just beyond the entrance on the left.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located to the right on entering.
    • The reception point is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) 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.
    • 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 not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is 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.
    • 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 space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • The reception is currently not in use.

Inside Access

  • There is level access once inside.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
  • Wayfinding signage is available.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is carpet and vinyl/laminate.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Orange Room)

  • There is / are 8 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; Orange 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) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 77cm (2ft 6in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is a bed / couch.
  • The bed / couch is adjustable.
  • A hoist is not available.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
  • There are some chairs with armrests available.
  • All tables are permanently fixed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the left side of the building.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the Main Entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 93cm (3ft 1in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 174cm x 290cm (5ft 9in x 9ft 6in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 94cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the left.
    • There is not a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary, nappy/incontinence items bin and pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 116cm (3ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is good.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 104cm.
    • 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 height of the towel dispenser is 128cm (4ft 2in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is good.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a flip down baby change table available.
    • The height of the baby change table is 90cm.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located along the corridor on the left side of the building.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m from the Main Entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 80cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are good.

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