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Pathology - Specimen Reception

Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough Common, Orpington, Kent, BR6 8ND

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • By Road View
    • Princess Royal University Hospital is located on Farnborough Common and can be accessed by the A21.
    • There is limited pay and display parking on site with spaces for Blue Badge holders. More spaces are available in the Sainsbury’s supermarket car park, close to the hospital (parking charges apply).

      Standard charges for patient and visitor parking at the hospital apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

      Up to 1 hour: £1.50 Up to 2 hours: £2.50 Up to 4 hours: £4 Up to 8 hours: £6 Up to 24 Hours: £8.
  • By Bus View
    • The following bus routes stop within the hospital grounds: 261, R3 and R4. These bus routes stop within a 10-minute walk: 61, 336, 353, 358 and R2.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest train station is Orpington which is approximately 1 mile away.
  • Useful Links View

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 in the main entrance foyer.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 01689 863 252.
  • 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 reception.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, Makaton on request and different languages on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on 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.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact the main reception.

Hospital Parking

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located at the front of the hospital site.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
    • The maximum height is 210cm (6ft 11in).
    • The car park does not 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 342cm x 523cm (11ft 3in x 17ft 2in).
    • There is not 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.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located in front of the main 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 not 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.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is 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 dropped kerbs.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 17m (18yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Comments View
    • Part of the patient parking area is sheltered.

Getting To (Pathology - Specimen Reception)

  • Pathology - Specimen Reception is/are located on level 2 of the South Wing of Princess Royal University Hospital.
  • Access to Pathology - Specimen Reception is via the Main Entrance.
  • Enter via the Main Entrance and proceed straight past reception. Take the South Wing lift located at the first corridor on the right to level 2. Exit the lift and continue ahead. Pathology - Specimen Reception is located on the left of the corridor.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Pathology - Specimen Reception.
  • Pathology - Specimen Reception is approximately 44m from the South Wing lifts.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the Main Entrance and the department/service.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.

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 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 not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • 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 244cm.
    • 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 247cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the left and right of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.

Other Floors (South Wing Main Stairs)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on the ground floor.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, 2, 3.
    • 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 not 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 second lower handrail.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Lift (South Wing Main Lifts)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located straight ahead and to the right on entering the Main Entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the Main 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, 1, 2, 3.
  • 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 poor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 128cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 178cm x 270cm.
  • 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 not a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low.

Opening Times

  • Monday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Friday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Entrance (Specimen Reception Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on level 2 of the South Wing.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is no hand sanitiser at this entrance.
    • 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 86cm.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located straight ahead on entering.
    • The reception point is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the Specimen Reception 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 low (76cm or lower) .
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low section of the desk with the recommended dimensions of 70cm (height) x 50cm (depth).
    • 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 bench seating and single seats with armrests.
    • The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
    • There is not a 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 medium.

Inside Access

  • There is level access once inside.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Wayfinding signage is not available.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate.
  • The lighting levels are bright.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are not available.
  • Comments View
    • The nearest accessible toilet is located in the Main Entrance foyer.

Standard Toilet(s)

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