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Beccles Hospital

St Mary's Road, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 9NQ

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The hospital is within the town of Beccles on St. Mary's Road.
    • There are car parks with Blue Badge bays at the front and rear of the hospital.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest rail station is Beccles.
      There is not a taxi rank at this station.
      There is no bus service to the hospital from this station.

Parking

  • Parking View
    • The venue does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located in front of the main entrance.
    • 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 360cm x 530cm (11ft 10in x 17ft 5in).
    • 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.
    • There is an overflow car park for staff and visitors.
    • Additional car parking is at the rear of the hospital.
      Blue Badge bays are available in this car park.
      There is no access into the building at the rear of the hospital.
  • Paying View
    • There are not parking charges for the car park.
  • 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 slopes/ramps.
    • The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is block paving.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Comments View
    • There is 1 larger Blue Badge bay measuring 450cm x 530cm.

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

  • Bus Stop(s) View
    • There is not an onsite bus stop.
  • Drop-off Point(s) View
    • There is not a/are not clearly marked onsite drop-off point(s).
    • There is a drop-off sign outside the physiotherapy entrance but this is in an ambulance only hatched area.
  • Comments View
    • Although no buses service the hospital routes 146 and 60S stop 700m away from the hospital entrance.
    • Route X22 stops 1km away from the hospital entrance.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located within the car park.
    • 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 double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 150cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Outside Access (Physiotherapy Department)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located within the car park next to the main entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step free 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 main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 110cm.
    • 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 110cm.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located at the end of the main entrance corridor.
    • The reception point is approximately 21m (22yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • Clear signage for the reception area/desk is not 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 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.
    • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low section of the desk.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is a hearing assistance system.
    • The type of system is a fixed loop.
    • 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.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
  • Comments View
    • There is very thick glass between reception and the patient making hearing very difficult.
    • Microphones are available at reception at a low level (not suitable for someone standing) but hearing is still difficult.

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 vinyl.
    • 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 corridors.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is not 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.

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).

Other Floors (Mid)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2.
    • 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.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do not 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.
  • Comments View
    • These stairs are for staff only access.
    • Handrails are not continuous.
    • Handrail provision switches from one side to the other.

Other Floors (Rear)

  • 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 ground floor.
    • 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 both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do 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.
  • Comments View
    • These stairs are for staff only access.

Lift (Rear)

  • There is not a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located at the far end of the main corridor.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 65m (71yd 3in) from the main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1.
  • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the lift lobby on all floors.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not 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 poor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 150cm x 130cm (4ft 11in x 4ft 3in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not 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 loop system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.
  • Comments View
    • This lift is for staff only access.
    • The doors in the corridor used to access this lift are entry by staff key fob only.

Toilet with Adaptations (Reception)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the left as you face reception.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 19m (20yd 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 tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The door is light.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 88cm (2ft 11in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 166cm x 250cm (5ft 5in x 8ft 2in).
    • 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 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are clinical waste and general domestic waste 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 166cm from the floor.
  • 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 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 47cm (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 93cm (3ft 1in).
    • 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 height of the wash basin is 72cm (2ft 4in).
    • 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 93cm.
    • 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 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 good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are 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 102cm (3ft 4in).

Standard Toilet(s) (Main Corridor)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s) View
    • The shared toilets that were surveyed are located off the main corridor, past outpatients.
    • The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 50m (54yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is 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.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is 1 shallow step inside the toilet.
    • There are no handrails at the step.
    • There are 2 dropdown rails either side of the toilet.