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Darwin Ward

Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 3UJ

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Darwin Ward)

Parking (Car Park 3 - Patient and Visitors)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the rear of the main hospital building.
    • The car park is sheltered.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 245cm (width) x 490cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 127cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 23m from the Q Block entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight ramp or slope and uneven surfaces.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for 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 throughout the car park.
    • 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).
    • View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
    • Patients can either pay and display using cash or pay via the Apcoa app quoting location 2222.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are 2 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 245cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • The nozzle holster is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points require an app.
    • There are no electric vehicle charging points designated for Blue Badge holders.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Q Block)

  • This entrance is located at the left side of Q Block.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • 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 towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 140cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • This entrance gives access to Level 2 of Q Block.

Lift (1Q and 2Q)

  • The lift surveyed is located immediately to the left as you enter Q Block.
  • The distance from The Q Block entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Level 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Q Block 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 130cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 177cm (width) x 274cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high 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 list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.
  • At the time of survey, lift 1Q was not in use.

Ward (Darwin Ward)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is an older person short stay unit.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There are 4 bays available.
    • There are 8 side rooms available.
    • There are 20+ beds in total on the ward.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this ward.
    • There is an intercom at a height of 120cm.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 124cm.
    • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
    • The doors open towards you.
    • The width of the opening is 162cm.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Reception / Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the desk is 121cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the desk.
    • The height of the lowered section is 77cm.
    • The desk has glazed screens.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • Seating available on the ward includes: chairs without armrests and riser recliner chairs.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • The hoist is mobile.
    • There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: a standard toilet and washrooms.
    • The following facilities are available for visitors: a standard toilet.
    • The nearest toilet with adaptations for visitors is located within the patient washroom facilities.
  • Visiting Hours View

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Darwin Ward)

Bathroom with Adaptations (C Bay - Shower Room)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located within C Bay.
    • The most accessible route to the bathroom has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the bathroom.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 102cm.
    • 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 bathroom are 365cm (width) x 237cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 60cm (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 no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low 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 107cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 84cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin rails have a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 121cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 126cm 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 no shelf.
    • The bathroom has a pedal bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 150cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • The bathroom has a wheel-in shower.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is a shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There is a grab rail and a dropdown rail for the shower.
    • The shower grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The shower dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.

Standard Toilet Facilities (C Bay - Patient Toilet)

  • The shared standard toilet facilities were surveyed.
  • The toilet is located within C Bay.
  • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the toilet.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 76cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • There are no ambulant toilet facilities available.
  • There is a wash basin, a wall mounted soap dispenser and a wall mounted towel dispenser available.
  • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Standard Toilet Facilities (Visitor Toilet)

  • The shared standard toilet facilities were surveyed.
  • The toilet is located along the ward corridor to the left after the nurses station, next to Side Room 1.
  • The distance from the Darwin Ward entrance is 13m.
  • The most accessible route has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • There is step-free level access into the toilet.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 76cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • There are no ambulant toilet facilities available.
  • There is a wash basin, a wall mounted soap dispenser and a wall mounted towel dispenser available.
  • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.