Access Guide
Getting To The Hospital
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By Road
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- Exit the A14 at Junction 7 and follow the signs for the Town Centre.
Carry on past the Crematorium on the left.
At the roundabout either take the right exit for Car Parks A and B, or go straight ahead on Rothwell Road past the main hospital site.
Before the bridge use Car Park D for Entrance 4 and the Treatment Centre. The post code to use for a Sat-Nav is NN16 8UZ. - There are several car parks across the Hospital site but the 3 main ones are Car Parks A and B which service the main building and the Outpatients Departments and Car Park D which services the Treatment Centre.
Car parks A and D are open-air and Car Park B is 2-tiered with limited accessible parking.
- Exit the A14 at Junction 7 and follow the signs for the Town Centre.
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By Bus
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- There are several bus routes which stop outside the hospital, they are: the X1 Corby, which provides a regular service from the Town Centre (Stagecoach), the number 19 Rothwell and Desborough (Stagecoach), the number 10 West Hunsbury, Northampton, Moulton, Holcot, Old, Mawsley and Broughton (Stagecoach), the X10 Market Harborough/Northampton (Stagecoach) and the number 34 Wellingborough (Centrebus).
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By Train
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- The nearest train station is Kettering, it is approximately 0.5 miles from the Hospital which is a short 10 minute walk.
There are several Taxi Services which run from the train station.
- The nearest train station is Kettering, it is approximately 0.5 miles from the Hospital which is a short 10 minute walk.
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Useful Links
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- Please see the link below for information on east midland trains.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Please see the link below for information about Stagecoach bus services.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Please see the link below for information about Northamptonshire Travel.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Please see the link below for the route from Kettering train station to the Hospital.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance
- There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
- The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located on the ground floor of the main hospital building in the corridor to the right of the main hospital reception.
- The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 01536 493 305.
- The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is [email protected].
- There are volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
- Volunteers can be found at the main entrance and throughout the main hospital building corridors.
- There is an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
- The assistance dog toilet or toileting area is located on the green areas around the hospital site.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
- 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, mobile hoists and adjustable beds.
- To obtain mobility aids please contact a member of staff.
Hospital Parking (Car Park A)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car park is located in front of the Emergency Department and Urgent Care entrance.
- 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 car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
- 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 230cm x 472cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 6in).
- There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is a designated drop-off point.
- The drop-off point is located opposite the Emergency Department and Urgent Care entrance, and opposite the Rockingham Wing.
- There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
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Paying
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- There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
- Payment signs are provided.
- Payment signs are clearly presented.
- Payment signs are located at the entrance to the car park and 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.
- Payment machines are located throughout the car park and close to the Blue Badge parking bays.
- There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
- To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
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Access to the Hospital
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- 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 hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 115m (125yd 2ft) from the Emergency Department and Urgent Care entrance.
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Comments
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- Wheelchairs are available at the top of the Ramps.
- There are 6 parent and children bays within this car park.
- The height of the payment machine controls are between 78cm to 112cm high and to access them there is an opening that is 99cm wide.
Getting To (Poplar Ward)
- Poplar Ward is/are located on the first floor of the Rockingham Wing.
- Access to Poplar Ward is via the Rockingham Wing entrance.
- Enter via the Rockingham Wing entrance and continue ahead. Turn left, go to the end of the corridor and turn right. Take the lifts located at the end of the corridor on the right to the first floor. Exit the lift and go through the single door located on the right. Poplar Ward is located at the end of the corridor.
- There is step free access, via lift, to Poplar Ward.
- Poplar Ward is approximately 35m from the lift.
- There is a/are manual, heavy, single door(s) between the lift and the department/service.
- Wayfinding signage is 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 flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
Outside Access (Rockingham Wing Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the Rockingham Wing building.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is 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 an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 146cm (4ft 9in).
- There is not a hand sanitiser.
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 118cm.
- 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 174cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope Details
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
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Comments
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- There are identical entrance doors either side of the Rockingham Wing entrance.
Other Floors (Rockingham Wing Stairs)
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Stairs
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- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not 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 depth of the step(s) is/are not 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 provided on landings.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
Lift (Rockingham Wing Lift)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located in the centre of the Rockingham Wing.
- Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 37m (40yd 1ft) from the Rockingham Wing 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 not 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 high.
- The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
- The clear door width is 130cm (4ft 3in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 160cm x 280cm (5ft 3in x 9ft 2in).
- 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 not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is good.
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Comments
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- There is a fold down seat available in both lifts that are 55cm high (this is shown in photograph 5).
Ward
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Ward Information
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- This is a/an Frailty ward.
- This is a female ward.
- There is/are 4 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 9 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 29 bed(s) on this ward in total.
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Ward Access
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- There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
- 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 88cm (2ft 11in).
- There is level access throughout the ward.
- There is no clear signage on the ward.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
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Reception/Nurses' Station
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- The height of the ward reception desk is 98cm.
- There is not a lowered section.
- There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
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Example Side Room
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- There are no side rooms available with an accessible ensuite.
- The width of the door opening into the side room is over 75cm.
- The side room surveyed does not have a ceiling track hoist.
- There is not sufficient space next to the bed for a mobile hoist to operate.
- There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
- Bedside storage is available.
- The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is high.
- The lighting levels in the side room are bright.
- The width of the door opening into the ensuite is over 75cm.
- There is not a clear unobstructed turning space within the ensuite.
- The fixtures/facilities available in the ensuite include; a shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the ensuite is high.
- The lighting levels in the ensuite are medium.
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Ward Features and Patient Facilities
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- The ward does not play background music.
- There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
- A mobile hoist is available on the ward.
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Visitor Facilities
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- There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located in the Rockingham Wing entrance foyer.
- There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located in the Rockingham Wing entrance foyer.
Washroom (Ensuite Toilet and Shower)
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Washroom Details
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- The washroom surveyed has a shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This washroom is female.
- There is no additional signage on or near the washroom door.
- The washroom door(s) open(s) outwards.
- The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
- The door(s) is/are heavy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 250cm x 180cm (8ft 2in x 5ft 11in).
- The washroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is not a coat hook in the washroom.
- There is a mirror.
- There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the wash basin is 81cm.
- As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
- The tap type is lever. It is a mixer tap.
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 120cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 136cm.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
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Toilet Details
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- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
- The toilet has a lid obstructing the back rest/cistern/wall.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 122cm.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the right.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 115cm.
- There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
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Shower Details
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- There is a wheel in shower.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The shower control type is twist/turn.
- A shower chair is available.
- There are wall-mounted grab rails available.
- The shower tray is accessed via a shallow step.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is medium.
- The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is medium.
- The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the right of the toilet and wall is low.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- The colour contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is medium.
- The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Washroom (Ward Bathroom)
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Washroom Details
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- The washroom surveyed has a bath.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This washroom is female.
- There is written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
- The washroom door(s) open(s) inwards.
- The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
- The door(s) is/are light to open.
- The width of the door opening is 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 250cm x 180cm (8ft 2in x 5ft 11in).
- The washroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is tied up and out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
- There is a push button alarm system in this washroom.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is a/are coat hook(s) 174cm from the floor.
- There is a mirror.
- There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
- There is not a wash basin.
- There is not a soap dispenser.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 140cm.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The washroom does not have a non-slip floor.
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Bath Details
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- There is a bath.
- The height of the side of the bath from floor level is 53cm (1ft 9in).
- The bath is not height adjustable.
- The bath tap type is twist/turn. It is a mixer tap.
- There is a shower over/for the bath.
- The shower head is hand held.
- There are not wall-mounted grab rails available.
- A bath hoist is not available.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is medium.
- The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Washroom (Ward Shower Room)
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Washroom Details
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- The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This washroom is female.
- There is no additional signage on or near the washroom door.
- The washroom door(s) open(s) inwards.
- The door(s) is/are light to open.
- The width of the door opening is 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 239cm x 180cm (7ft 10in x 5ft 11in).
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is within reach and fully functional.
- There is a push button alarm system in this washroom.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is a/are coat hook(s) 175cm from the floor.
- There is a mirror.
- There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
- There is not a wash basin.
- There is not a soap dispenser.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
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Shower Details
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- There is a wheel in shower.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The shower control type is twist/turn.
- A shower chair is available.
- There are wall-mounted grab rails available.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is low.
- The colour contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is low.
- The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female Toilet(s)
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- The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the right on entering the ward.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
- Lighting levels are medium.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Main Entrance - Main Building/Cardiac Centre and Foundation Wing link (new tab) - click here.
- Hospital Parking link (new tab) - click here.
- Rockingham Wing link (new tab) - click here.