Access Guide
Getting Here
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By Road
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- 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.
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By Bus
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- 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.
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By Train
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- 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.
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By Underground
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- Epping Underground station, at the end of the Central Line, is located in the town, approximately 1 mile from the hospital.
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Useful Links
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- For more information on getting to the hospital, please use the link below.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Please see the Regal Busways website, for more information on some of the buses to the hospital.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Please see the Transport for London website for more details on the Underground trains to Epping.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Bus Stop(s) and Drop-off Point(s)
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Bus Stop(s)
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- There is an onsite bus stop.
- The bus stop is located outside the Epping Forest Unit.
- 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. Cross the road in front of the Epping Forest Unit using the crossing, and then cross the main hospital site road using the crossing towards the Out-Patients Department. This route is approximately 45 metres long.
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Drop-off Point(s)
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- There is a/are clearly marked onsite drop-off point(s).
- The drop off point is located in front of the building, to the right as you face the main entrance.
- Access the path from the drop off point using the dropped kerb with tactile paving. Turn left to access the main entrance using the level, tarmac path. The drop off is approximately 10 metres from the entrance.
Bus Stop(s) and Drop-off Point(s) (GP Out of Hours entrance)
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Drop-off Point(s)
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- There is a/are clearly marked onsite drop-off point(s).
- The drop off point is outside the GP Out of Hours entrance.
- Use the dropped kerb, with tactile paving, in front of the GP Out of Hours entrance, to access the building from this drop off point.
Parking
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Parking
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- The venue does have a dedicated car park.
- The car park is located to side of this 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.
- There is/are 7 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 320cm x 510cm (10ft 6in x 16ft 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.
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Paying
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- There are parking charges for the 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.
- To see the parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
- Payment machines are located throughout the car park.
- There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
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Access from the Car Park
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- 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 slopes/ramps.
- The entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
- The route from the car park to the entrance is not clearly signposted.
- The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac.
- There is some tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the car park and the entrance.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the main entrance.
Parking (GP Out of Hours entrance)
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Parking
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- The venue does have a dedicated car park.
- The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
- The car park is located between this buiding and Birchwood House.
- 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) markings are faded.
- There is/are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 220cm x 500cm (7ft 3in x 16ft 5in).
- 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.
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Paying
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- There are not parking charges for the car park.
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Access from the Car Park
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- 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 13m (14yd 8in) from the GP Out of Hours entrance.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is step free 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) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 95cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 96cm.
Outside Access (GP Out of Hours entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building, opposite Birchwood House.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is step free 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) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 89cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 90cm.
Getting Around The Building
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Access
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- There is step free access throughout the ground floor.
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Circulation
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- There are not doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
- The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl.
- There is some flooring in corridors with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
- Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are provided in corridors.
- 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.
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Signage
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- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
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Safe Place(s)
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- There is a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
- The Quiet Room is located between the 2 sets of doors at the main entrance.
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Audio
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- 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, in the Epping Forest Unit.
- 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 main waiting area is located just inside the main entrance, and has a cafe / shop next to it. There are further waiting areas located throughout the ground floor.
Other Floors
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Stairs
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- 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 not clearly marked.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are not 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.
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Other
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- The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are staff offices.
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Comments
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- The first set of steps has handrails on both sides.
Toilet with Adaptations
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
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Location and Access
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- The accessible toilet surveyed is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- This accessible toilet is located off waiting area C, at the far end of the building from the main entrance.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 54m (59yd 2in) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
- The door is heavy.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 78cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 190cm x 240cm (6ft 3in x 7ft 10in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm in front of the seat.
- 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 left.
- The lateral transfer space is 131cm (4ft 4in).
- 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 not a spatula type lever flush.
- The height of the light switch/pull cord is 140cm from floor level.
- 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 a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 179cm from the floor.
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Position of Fixtures
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- 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 right.
- There are no vertical wall-mounted grab rails at the wash basin.
- There is not 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 cistern.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 5in).
- 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 75cm (2ft 6in).
- The tap type is twist/turn.
- There is not 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 100cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 131cm (4ft 4in).
- There is not a hand dryer.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is fair.
- 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.
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Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located close to the GP Out of Hours entrance.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the GP Out of Hours entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
- The tap type is lever.
- 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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Comments
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- The male toilet here contains a grab rail on the right as you face it.
- There are similar toilets beside most of the waiting areas in the building.
Parent and Baby Room
- There is a parent and baby room in the venue.
- The parent and baby room is located off the main corridor, just before waiting area C.
- The parent and baby room is approximately 48m from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the parent and baby room.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the room.
- 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 90cm (2ft 11in).
- There are disposable facilities in the parent and baby room.
- There is a wash basin in the parent and baby room.
- There is not a toilet in the parent and baby room.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- The lighting levels are good.