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Pathology First - Tower Block

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Pathology First - Tower Block)

Hospital Parking (Car Park F - Accessible)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located on the south east 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 5 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 229cm x 461cm (7ft 6in x 15ft 1in).
    • 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 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 close to the Blue Badge parking bays.
    • There is 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 21m (22yd 2ft) from the Tower Block Main Entrance.

Outside Access (Tower Block - Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the south side of the hospital site.
    • There is a drop-off point at this entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped 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 a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 101cm (3ft 4in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
    • There are no doors at this entrance.
    • The width of the door opening is 246cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 170cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
  • Comments View
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the main hospital building.

Lift (Tower Block - Lifts 4-8)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the Tower Block, off the main hospital corridor.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 17m (18yd 1ft) from the Tower Block Main 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, M, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
  • 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 high.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 119cm (3ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 138cm x 227cm (4ft 6in x 7ft 5in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is 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 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.

Entrance (Pathology First Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the First Floor of the Tower Block.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 133cm (4ft 4in).
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 112cm (3ft 8in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 112cm (3ft 8in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 83cm.
  • Step Details View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 3 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.

Department / Service (Pathology First - Tower Block)

  • Department / Service Access View
    • Pathology First is located on the first floor of the Tower Block.
    • There is level access throughout the department/service.
    • Staff can provide assistance with using any manual doors within the department/service.
    • There is no 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.
    • The department/service does not play background music.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Department / Service Facilities View
    • This department/service has; a waiting room/area.
    • A hearing assistance system is not available in the department/service.
    • A mobile hoist is not available on the department/service.
    • There are not accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor of the Tower Block.
    • There are not standard toilet facilities within this department/service.
    • Standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor of the Tower Block.

Opening Times (Pathology First - Tower Block)

  • Monday 07:00 - 16:00.
  • Tuesday 07:00 - 16:00.
  • Wednesday 07:00 - 16:00.
  • Thursday 07:00 - 16:00.
  • Friday 07:00 - 16:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Waiting Room / Area (Patient Waiting Area)

  • There is a waiting room / area.
  • The waiting room / area is approximately 3m from the Pathology First entrance.
  • There is level access into the waiting room / area.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the waiting room / area.
  • 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 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is not a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • All chairs have armrests.
  • Some tables are permanently fixed.
  • The surface height of the lowest table is 61cm.
  • The surface height of the highest table is 78cm.
  • The tables do contrast visually with the floor.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Announcements are in person.
  • The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
  • There is not a television.
  • 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 not space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
  • Lighting levels are good.