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The Orchard

Pathfinders Drive, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 4JJ

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Access Guide

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Summary

  • This is an inpatient unit property.
  • Services within the building include: There are inpatient wards, a cafe, a day room.

Opening Times

  • Reception is staffed 24 hours per day.

Getting Here

Getting Help and Assistance

  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; Braille on request, large print on request, Makaton on request and different languages on request.
  • There is a wheelchair to borrow to aid transferring around the building.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • Home visits services are available.

Parking

  • Parking View
    • The venue does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located at the front of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • 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 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 360cm x 500cm (11ft 10in x 16ft 5in).
    • 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.
    • There are additional car parks for staff and visitors.
  • Paying View
    • There are not parking charges for the car park.
  • Access from the Car Park 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 entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac and block paving.
    • There is no tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the car park and the entrance.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.

Bus Stop(s) and Drop-off Point(s)

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 step free 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.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Outside Access (Cafe)

  • 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.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp is 110cm.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located just beyond the main entrance.
    • 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.
    • There are not 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.
    • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low section of the desk.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is a hearing assistance system.
    • The type of system is a portable loop.
    • The hearing assistance system is signed.
    • Staff are trained to use the 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 unobstructed.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There are seats with armrests on both sides.

Getting Around The Building

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are provided in corridors.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in public areas.
    • There is a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.
    • The system is a portable loop.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell on the ground floor.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, LG.
    • 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 at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left of the reception.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, LG.
  • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the lift lobby on the ground floor.
  • 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.
  • Lighting levels are at least 100 lux at floor level in the lift lobby.
  • 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 good.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 130cm x 140cm (4ft 3in x 4ft 7in).
  • 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 not 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 loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Inpatient Accommodation

  • Accessible accommodation is available in this building/area.
  • There are 18 rooms with ensuite facilities on the ground floor.
  • The inpatient accommodation surveyed was Room 10.
  • The door opening width for the flat/room surveyed is 75cm+.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the flat/room surveyed.
  • The flat/room surveyed did not have an accessible bathroom.
  • The type of flooring in the flat/room surveyed is vinyl/laminate.
  • The colour contrast between the walls and floor in the flat/room surveyed is good.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s) View
    • The shared toilets that were surveyed are located to the left of the reception.
    • The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • Lighting levels are at least 100 lux at floor level.