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St Margarets Community Hospital - Hawthorn Lodge

The Plain, Epping, Essex, CM16 6TN

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • St Margaret's Community Hospital is located in the north east corner of Epping, just off The Plain - the B181 to North Weald Bassett. Epping can be accessed via Junction 26 of the M25, and Junction 7 from the M11.
    • There are 3 main public car parks at the front of the site. The car parks to the side of the Epping Forest Unit and the Out-Patients Department contain Blue Badge bays. There is also pay and display parking (free for Blue Badge holders) available throughout the site.
  • By Bus View
    • There are various services that run to the Hospital from Harlow, Loughton, Waltham Cross and Ongar, as well as Epping. The Excel 333 service runs from Stansted to Epping (town centre) every hour.
  • By Train View
    • There is no overland train service at Epping. The nearest stations are Waltham Cross, Cheshunt and Harlow Town, which are served by the Greater Anglia network.
  • By Underground View
    • Epping Underground station, at the end of the Central Line, is located in the town, approximately 1 mile from the hospital.
  • Useful Links View

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

  • Bus Stop(s) View
    • There is an onsite bus stop.
    • The bus stop is located outside the Epping Forest Unit, which is next to Hawthorn Lodge.
    • The bus stop is sheltered, and has bench seating with arm rests either end. There is space for a wheelchair user to wait at this bus stop.
    • From the bus stop, take the path around the front of the Epping Forest Unit. This path is level with a concrete tile surface. Follow the tarmac path around the side of the Epping Forest Unit and past Maple Lodge to the main entrance. This route is approximately 90 metres long.
  • Drop-off Point(s) View
    • There is a/are clearly marked onsite drop-off point(s).
    • The drop off point is located directly in front of the Epping Forest Unit main entrance.
    • The route from the drop off point is the same as the route from the bus stop, detailed above.

Parking

  • Parking View
    • The venue does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located surrounding the building.
    • 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 clearly marked/signposted Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
    • There is/are 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 460cm x 420cm (15ft 1in x 13ft 9in).
    • There is not a 1200mm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • There are additional car parks for staff and visitors.
    • There are additional car parks located throughout the hospital site.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located at the payment machines in the car park.
    • Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • To see the parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
    • Payment machines are located Payment machines are located in the main car parks and on the main hospital site road, not outside this building.
    • There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
  • Access from the Car Park View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 23m (25yd 6in) from the main entrance.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front 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/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The bell is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 92cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the left of the entrance as you face it.
    • 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.
    • The width of the ramp or slope is 110cm (3ft 7in).

Getting Around The Building

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the ground floor.
  • Circulation View
    • There are not doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is carpet.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all corridors.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • Lighting levels of at least 100 lux at floor level, were recorded in all corridors surveyed.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding 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 a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.
    • The system is a portable loop.
    • The portable hearing loop is available from the main reception.
    • The hearing assistance system is available only on request.

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 not 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).
  • The waiting area is located immediately to the left as you enter.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do not 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 good.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are staff offices and a standard toilet.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located at the far end of the ground floor corridor, past the stairs.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) 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 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 269cm x 240cm (8ft 10in x 7ft 10in).
    • 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 200cm (6ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 110cm from floor level.
    • There is not an emergency alarm.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are general domestic waste 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 both sides.
    • 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 not a standard shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The toilet has a backrest.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 49cm (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).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • 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 117cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 115cm (3ft 9in).
    • 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 good.
    • Lighting levels are at least 100 lux at floor level.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s) View
    • The shared toilets that were surveyed are located on the landing on the stairs.
    • Inside the venue, there is not level access to the shared toilet(s).
    • There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • Lighting levels are at least 100 lux at floor level.

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