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Dickens Acute Care

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Dickens Acute Care)

Parking (Northwick Park Hospital - Multi-Storey Car Park - P1)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of the main hospital building.
    • The car park is multi-storey.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac and concrete.
    • There are 15+ designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays have faded markings.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 220cm (width) x 456cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 90cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 67m from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has slight ramps or slopes, bollards and a pedestrian crossing.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • 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.
    • Free parking for Blue Badge holders is restricted to 6 hours.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located on Level G and 1 of the multi-storey 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).
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are 6 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 246cm (width) x 460cm (depth).
    • The controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster is 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 a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located in front of the lift lobby on Level 1.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the main hospital building.
  • 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 access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 124cm.
  • The height of the hand sanitiser is 120cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 141cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 130cm.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 133cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • This entrance gives access to Level 4 of the main hospital building.

Ward (Dickens Acute Care)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is an acute care ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There are 5 bays available.
    • There are 6 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 127cm.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 105cm.
    • There are double automatic doors with a high visual contrast.
    • The doors open towards you.
    • The width of the opening is 137cm.
    • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 167cm.
  • 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 medium visual contrast.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Wayfinding and dementia-friendly signage is provided.
    • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Reception / Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the desk is 103cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The desk has windows.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • Seating available on the ward includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests and armchairs.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • The hoist is mobile.
    • There is a relatives' room for the ward.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: washrooms.
    • The following facilities are available for visitors: a toilet with adaptations.
  • Visiting Hours View

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Patient)

Lounge (Relatives' Room/Day Room)

  • The lounge is located immediately to the left as you enter the ward.
  • There is step-free level access into the lounge.
  • 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 is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 93cm.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the lounge includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs and sofas.
  • Furniture available in the lounge includes: tables and coffee tables.
  • The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is a TV with subtitles.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Toilet with Adaptations (Visitors - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located within the Day Room.
    • The distance from the ward entrance is 8m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial, written text and dementia friendly signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • 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 158cm (width) x 137cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 82cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • 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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • 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 91cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 85cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high 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 105cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 146cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Bathroom with Adaptations (Bay D - Toilet and Shower)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located to the right as you enter Bay D, on the right hand side of the ward corridor.
    • The most accessible route to the bathroom has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into the bathroom.
    • There is pictorial, written text and dementia friendly signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 93cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 250cm (width) x 160cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is not a lateral transfer space next to the toilet.
    • There is a spatula flush on the right as you face the toilet.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the left as you face the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the left as you face the toilet.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • 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 88cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 86cm 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 rails have a high 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 112cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 140cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The bathroom has a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • 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 55cm from the floor.
    • There is a grab rail for the shower.
    • The shower grab rail has a high visual contrast.