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Special Echo

Basildon University Hospital, Nether Mayne, Basildon, Essex, SS16 5NL

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Special Echo)

  • Comments View
    • Patients have to check in at the reception before entering the department.
    • Patients are then escorted through from the waiting room.

Hospital Parking (The Cardiothoracic Centre)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located in front of the Cardiothoracic Centre.
    • 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 and signposted.
    • There is/are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 245cm x 272cm (8ft x 8ft 11in).
    • There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
    • 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 Cardiothoracic Centre.
    • There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
    • The dropped kerb does have tactile paving.
  • Paying View
  • 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 uneven surfaces.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Cardiothoracic Centre entrance.

Outside Access (The Cardiothoracic Centre - Accessible)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the Cardiothoracic Centre, on Level A.
    • There is a drop-off point at this entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped 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 automatic door(s) is/are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 79cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the left of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up the ramp.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step Details View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 2 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up the step(s).

Lift (22A and 22B)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the Cardiothoracic Centre.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the Cardiothoracic Centre 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 level A, B, C and D.
  • 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 visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 151cm x 131cm (4ft 11in x 4ft 4in).
  • 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 not 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 not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Department / Service (Special Echo)

  • Department / Service Access View
    • Special Echo is located on Level B of the Cardiothoracic Centre.
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the department/service.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 79cm.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 132cm (4ft 4in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 94cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is level access throughout the department/service.
    • Staff can provide assistance with using any manual doors within the department/service.
    • There is clear signage on the department/service.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is some flooring in the department/service which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is some flooring in the department/service which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • The department/service does not play background music.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Department / Service Facilities View
    • This department/service has; a consultation room and treatment rooms.
    • There are 4 consultation/treatment rooms in this department/service.
    • A hearing assistance system is not available in the department/service.
    • A mobile hoist is available from another department/service.
    • There are not accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located on Level A of the Cardiothoracic Centre.
    • There are not standard toilet facilities within this department/service.
    • Standard toilet facilities are located on Level A of the Cardiothoracic Centre.

Reception (Thames Ward/Special Echo)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located on Level B of the Cardiothoracic Centre.
    • The reception point is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the 22A and 22B lifts.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the lift.
    • 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 moderate to 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.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a bell to attract attention.
    • There is not a hearing assistance 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.
    • 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 also a mixture of single seats with and without armrests.
    • No tables are permanently fixed.
    • The waiting room / area does have background music playing.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
    • There is a television.
    • Subtitles are available.
    • 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 moderate to good.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Echo Room)

  • There is / are 1 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; Echo C-3.
  • There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is not a bed / couch.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is/are height adjustable.
  • All chairs have armrests available.
  • Some tables are permanently fixed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Cardiac Investigation)

  • There is / are 1 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; Echo C-2.
  • There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is not a bed / couch.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is/are height adjustable.
  • All chairs have armrests available.
  • Some tables are permanently fixed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.