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Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital - Main Building

King Edward Avenue, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 6EB

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital is located off King Edward Avenue in Herne Bay.
      The postcode to use for Sat-Nav is CT6 6EB.
      The A299 Thanet Way is approximately 0.7 miles from the venue via King Edward Avenue, Mickleburgh Hill, Blacksole Bridge and Margate Road.
    • The main car park is located to the right of the building.
      There are additional Blue Badge bays to the left of the main entrance.
      Parking is free for all visitors and patients.
  • By Bus View
    • There is a bus stop along King Edward Avenue, approximately 70m away.
      Buses 7, 7A, 36, 634 and 921 stop here.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest train station is Herne Bay.
      Herne Bay is 1.2 miles away and is located off Station Road.
      This station is served by Southeastern.
  • Useful Links View

Parking

  • Parking View
    • The venue does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located to the right of Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital.
    • 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 5 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 310cm x 487cm (10ft 2in x 15ft 12in).
    • There is not 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.
    • There is an overflow car park for staff and visitors.
    • There are additional standard bays at the front of the hospital (photograph 5).
      3 additional Blue Badge bays are located to the left of the main entrance (photograph 4).
  • Paying View
    • There are not parking charges for the car park.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • Access from the Car Park 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 dropped kerbs.
    • The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac.
    • There is tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the car park and the entrance.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the main entrance.

Bus Stop(s) and Drop-off Point(s)

  • Bus Stop(s) View
    • There is an onsite bus stop.
    • The bus stop is located in front of the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, on Kind Edward Avenue.
    • The bus stop is not sheltered and has no seating.
      There is level access for a wheelchair user to wait.
    • The route from the bus stop to the hospital is approximately 70m.
      The route is level and there are no roads to cross.
  • Drop-off Point(s) View
    • There is not a/are not clearly marked onsite drop-off point(s).

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right-hand side of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is not 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.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 126cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • Comments View
    • The intercom is 127cm in height.

Outside Access (Heron Ward / Night Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped 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.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 61cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) both ways.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 126cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • Comments View
    • The intercom is 132cm in height.

Reception (Main Reception)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located along the corridor from the main entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • Clear signage for the reception area/desk is visible from the entrance.
    • 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 medium height (77cm - 109cm).
    • There is not 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 a hearing assistance system.
    • The type of system is a fixed loop.
    • The hearing assistance system is signed.
    • Staff are trained to use the 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 are seats with armrests on both sides.
    • The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
    • There is not a television.
    • Vending machines are available.
    • A water dispenser is 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.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Getting Around The Building

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the ground floor.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is laminate.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in corridors.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in public areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.

Ramp(s) or Slope(s) (Access to Heron Ward)

  • There is a/are slight ramp(s)/slope(s) to access Heron Ward.
  • The ramp(s)/slope(s) is/are located at the rear left of building, off the main corridor.
  • There are not handrail(s) at the ramp/slope.

Waiting Area(s)

  • There is a/are waiting area(s) along the circulation route(s).
  • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area(s).
  • There is not a/are not flashing fire alarm beacon(s) within the waiting area(s).

Other Floors (Staff Offices)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell on the first floor.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are staff offices.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located along the corridor to the right as you enter.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 213cm x 275cm (6ft 12in x 9ft).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has a non-slip floor.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 148cm (4ft 10in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is not a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are pedal bin and female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the left.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the right hand side of the wash basin.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • There is a standard shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is not between 90cm and 100cm.
    • There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
    • There is not a mirror.
    • The toilet does not have a backrest or a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 98cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 78cm (2ft 7in).
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 94cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 97cm (3ft 2in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • The baby change table is not set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
    • The baby change table is not height adjustable.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 99cm (3ft 3in).

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s) View
    • The shared toilets that were surveyed are located along the main corridor opposite main reception.
    • The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 17m (18yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
    • The tap type is twist/turn.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.