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QEII - Therapy

Howlands, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 4HQ

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Access Guide

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Overview (QEII - Therapy)

  • About View
    • This is a therapy department with multiple clinics available.
    • Services available in the venue include: Adult speech and language therapy, MSK physiotherapy, Hertfordshire children and young people's continence service, and respiratory physiotherapy clinic.
    • View information on opening times
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors and doors permanently held open.
    • All floors (ground to second) can be accessed via a standard lift.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
    • British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: Braille (on request), large print (on request) and different languages (on request).
    • There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.

Getting To (QEII - Therapy)

  • The most accessible route from the hospital car park has step-free level access and bollards.
  • Access to QEII - Therapy is via the New Queen Elizabeth II Hospital main entrance.
  • There is a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • QEII - Therapy is located on the second floor of the hospital.
  • QEII - Therapy is approximately 12m from the blue zone lift.
  • Enter via the main hospital entrance and turn right.
    Take the lift to the second floor.
    Exit the lift and continue straight ahead.
    QEII - Therapy is on the left.
  • Internally the most accessible route has step-free level access, a lift and doors permanently held open.
  • 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 right hand transfer) and standard toilets.

Parking (QEII - Therapy)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located opposite the main hospital entrance.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 15+ designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 240cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 96cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 8m from the main hospital entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and bollards.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located to the right of the hospital entrance.
    • There is a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a level manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user in front of the payment machine (185cm x 210cm).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located opposite the main hospital entrance.

Entrance (QEII Hospital Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located off Howlands.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 208cm.
  • 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 218cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • The minimum width between the bollards is 190cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift (Blue Zone)

  • The lift surveyed is located on the ground floor of the hospital.
  • The distance from the main hospital entrance is 15m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • All floors (ground to second) are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high 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 140cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 140cm (width) x 240cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a seat.
  • The lift seat is 50cm from the floor.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Blue Zone)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right from the QEII Hospital main entrance.
  • There is a permanently held open door to access the stairwell.
  • The ground, first and second floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have some clear markings and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Reception (MSK Physiotherapy Reception)

  • The reception is located on the second floor.
  • The distance from the blue zone lift is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has doors permanently held open.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 120cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests.

Department / Service (QEII - Therapy)

  • Location and Access View
    • QEII - Therapy is located on the second floor of the hospital.
    • View information on opening times.
    • There is no signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
    • The door has a locked extension leaf.
    • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request .
    • The door opens both ways.
    • The width of the opening is 75cm.
    • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 116cm.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • 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.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • There are 10 consultation/medical rooms available.
    • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: a toilet with adaptations.

Toilet and Changing Facilities (QEII - Therapy)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located off the main corridor.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.

Consultation / Medical Room (Therapy)

  • There are 10 consultation/medical rooms available.
  • The room surveyed was; 2.008.
  • The room is located along the main corridor, on the left hand side.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is written text and numbered 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 have a high visual contrast.
  • The treatment table is free standing and height adjustable.
  • The length of the treatment table is 176cm.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: desks.
  • Some furniture is fixed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Consultation / Medical Room (Gym)

  • There are 10 consultation/medical rooms available.
  • The room surveyed was; Gym - 2.005.
  • The room is located along the main corridor.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is written text and numbered 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 has a locked extension leaf.
  • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request .
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 89cm.
  • 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 have a high visual contrast.
  • The treatment table is free standing and height adjustable.
  • The length of the treatment table is 180cm.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: desks.
  • Some furniture is fixed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located at the centre of the Therapy department.
    • The distance from the MSK Physiotherapy reception is 8m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial, written text and ‘Not All Disabilities Are Visible’ signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • 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 cubicle are 215cm (width) x 260cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 153cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush for the toilet.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has 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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 92cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 68cm 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 can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 92cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 95cm 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 cubicle has a sanitary bin, a pedal bin and a clinical waste bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 122cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.