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St Margarets Community Hospital - Birchwood House

The Plain, Epping, Essex, CM16 6TN

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Access Guide

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Overview (Birchwood House)

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Birchwood House)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located at the rear and to the right of the building.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The female step-free toilet facilities are located at the rear and the right of the building.

Parking (Birchwood House)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of the Birchwood House.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays have faded markings.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 245cm (width) x 621cm (depth).
    • There are no hatched/marked zones.
    • The nearest designated bay is 4m from the Birchwood House entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is free for all users.

Entrance (Birchwood House)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 91cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 82cm.
  • The second set of doors has a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception (Birchwood House)

  • The reception is located to the right as you enter through the Birchwood House entrance.
  • The distance from the Birchwood House entrance is 1m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 86cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.

Getting Around (Birchwood House)

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is not consistent throughout.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Seating Area (Sub Waiting Area)

  • The seating area is located to the right of Birchwood House.
  • The most accessible route to the seating area has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
  • The surface height of the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the right of the Birchwood House.
    • The distance from the Birchwood House entrance is 6m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a medium visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 74cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a low 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 126cm (width) x 240cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 61cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush for the toilet.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 47cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low 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 low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 93cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 71cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right 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 low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 94cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 80cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.