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Neonatal Unit

Southend University Hospital, Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 0RY

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Neonatal Unit)

  • The Neonatal Unit is located on the second floor of the Cardigan Building.
  • The Neonatal Unit is approximately 30m from the lifts 26 and 27.
  • From the Blue Badge parking bays in Car Park A, there is a bollard and dropped kerbs to cross the road via the zebra crossing.
    The Cardigan Building Main Entrance is immediately to the right.
  • View further information about parking at the hospital (opens new tab)
  • Access to the Neonatal Unit is via the Cardigan Building Main Entrance.
  • Enter via the Cardigan Building main entrance and proceed ahead along the corridor. Lifts 26 and 27 are located to the right.
    Take the lift to the second floor.
    Exit the lift and turn right.
    Continue along the corridor and enter the Eastwood Ward and Neonatal Unit shared entrance that is located on the right.
    Once you are through this entrance the Neonatal Unit is located on the right.
  • View further information about entrances (opens new tab)
  • There is step free access, via lift, to the Neonatal Unit.
  • The most accessible route includes manual doors which are held open and automatic doors.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • There are resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • The following toilet facilities are available along the route; accessible toilet (with right hand transfer) and standard toilets.
  • View information about accessible toilet facilities in public areas (opens new tab).
  • View information on getting to and around the hospital (opens new tab)

Hospital Parking (Car Park A - Accessible)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located on the west side of the hospital site.
    • 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) markings are faded.
    • 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 239cm x 470cm (7ft 10in x 15ft 5in).
    • There is 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 not a designated 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 throughout the car park.
    • Payment signs do 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 not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is not 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 uneven surfaces.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the Cardigan Building Main Entrance.

Outside Access (Prittlewell Building - Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the south side of the hospital site.
    • There is not 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 not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do 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 (away from you).
    • The automatic door(s) is/are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 127cm.
    • 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 width of the ramp is 107cm.
    • 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 deep (18cm+).
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up the step(s).
  • Comments View
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the main hospital building.

Lift (Cardigan Building - Lifts 26 and 27)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the Cardigan Building, off the main hospital corridor.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 26m (28yd 1ft) from the Cardigan Building 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 and 2.
  • 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 low.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is low.
  • The clear door width is 127cm (4ft 2in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 133cm x 283cm (4ft 4in x 9ft 3in).
  • 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 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.

Entrance (Eastwood Ward and Neo-natal Unit)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located in the Cardigan Building on the second floor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • 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.
    • Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 172cm.

Entrance (Neonatal Unit)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located in the Cardigan Building second floor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • 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) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.

Ward (Neonatal Unit)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 3 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 2 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 16 bed(s) on this ward in total.
  • Ward Access View
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 172cm (5ft 8in).
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 144cm (4ft 9in).
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 144cm (4ft 9in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 118cm (3ft 10in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 135cm (4ft 5in).
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • Staff can provide assistance with using any manual doors within the ward.
    • There is clear signage on the ward.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is some flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 104cm.
    • There is not a lowered section.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • Relatives' Room View
    • There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
  • Example Side Room View
    • There are no side rooms available with an accessible ensuite.
    • The width of the door opening into the side room is over 75cm.
    • The side room surveyed does not have a ceiling track hoist.
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
    • Bedside storage is not available.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is high.
    • The lighting levels in the side room are adjustable.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • A hearing assistance system is not available on the ward.
    • The ward does not play background music.
    • There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
    • A mobile hoist is not available on the ward.
  • Visitor Facilities View
    • There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located on the ground floor of the Cardigan Building.
    • There are standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
  • Visiting Times View
    • There are no set visiting times, please contact the ward in advance.

Family Room (Parents' Kitchen)

  • The family room is located beyond the Neonatal Unit entrance doors, to the right.
  • There is step-free access to the family room.
  • The family room is clearly signed.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) has a closer and maybe difficult for some to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 77cm.
  • The type of flooring in the family room is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the family room.
  • There are chairs without armrests.
  • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the seating area.
  • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • There is a refreshment counter.
  • The height of the counter is 93cm.
  • The counter does not have a clear knee recess.
  • There is a sink.
  • The wash basin tap type is lever.
  • There is not a television.
  • Vending machines are not available.
  • There is a water dispenser available.
  • There is a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • Background music is not played in the room.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • The lighting levels in the room are moderate to good.
  • Toys are kept in one of the lower counter cupboards.

Inpatient Accommodation (Parents Bedroom)

  • Accessible accommodation is not available in this building/area.
  • There are 2 parent bedrooms located on the ward.
  • The inpatient accommodation surveyed was Parents Room 2.
  • The door opening width for the flat/room surveyed is 75cm+.
  • There is not 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 high.
  • There is bedside storage, a chair with armrests and a washbasin in the bedroom.

Entrance (To Bays and Side Rooms)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the ward main corridor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • 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) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 172cm.

Family Room (Milk Kitchen)

  • The family room is located in the rear corridor near to the bays and side rooms.
  • There is step-free access to the family room.
  • The family room is clearly signed.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) for the room is/are not push pad activated.
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) has a closer and maybe difficult for some to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
  • The type of flooring in the family room is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the family room.
  • There is a refreshment counter.
  • The height of the counter is 90cm.
  • The counter does not have a clear knee recess.
  • There is a sink.
  • The wash basin tap type is lever.
  • There is not a television.
  • Vending machines are not available.
  • There is not a water dispenser available.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • Background music is not played in the room.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • The lighting levels in the room are good.
  • This room is for the storage of expressed breast milk and for making bottle feeds.

Family Room (Expressing Room)

  • The family room is located in the rear corridor near to the bays and side rooms.
  • There is step-free access to the family room.
  • The family room is clearly signed.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) for the room is/are not push pad activated.
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) may be difficult for some to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
  • The type of flooring in the family room is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the family room.
  • There are chairs with armrests on both sides.
  • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the seating area.
  • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • There is not a refreshment counter.
  • There is not a sink.
  • There is not a television.
  • Vending machines are not available.
  • There is not a water dispenser available.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • Background music is not played in the room.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • The lighting levels in the room are adjustable.

Washroom (Parents Shower Room)

  • Washroom Details View
    • The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
    • There is/are 1 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
    • The washroom surveyed is located beyond the Neonatal Unit entrance, to the left.
    • There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
    • This washroom is shared.
    • There is written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
    • The washroom door(s) open(s) inwards.
    • The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 78cm (2ft 7in).
    • The dimensions of the washroom are 220cm x 230cm (7ft 3in x 7ft 7in).
    • The washroom does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
    • There is not a coat hook in the washroom.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin is 84cm.
    • There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the wash basin.
    • The tap type is lever. It is a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 97cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 98cm.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • There is a/are general waste (with lid) disposal units.
    • The washroom has a non-slip floor.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet has a wall which can act as a back rest.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 110cm.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
    • There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the toilet.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 68cm.
    • There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The shower head height is fixed.
    • The shower control type is twist/turn.
    • There is no seat for the shower.
    • There are wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
    • The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is high.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
    • The colour contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is high.
    • The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.