You are on Opening Times. Skip to the next section.

Opening Times

• Monday 10:00 - 22:30.
• Tuesday 10:00 - 22:30.
• Wednesday 10:00 - 22:30.
• Thursday 10:00 - 22:30.
• Friday 10:00 - 22:30.
• Saturday 08:00 - 22:30.
• Sunday 08:00 - 22:30.

You are on Getting Here. Skip to the next section.

Getting Here

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• By Road View
  • The Primary Care Centre is located to the North West of Houghton-le-Spring, off the A182. From the North and A19 take the A690 towards Durham and Houghton-le-Spring. Take the exit for the A182 signposted for Houghton-le-Spring. At the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Hillside Way, signposted for Town Centre and Washington (A182). At the next roundabout take the 1st exit onto Newbottle Street, signposted for Town Centre. Take the 1st right onto Station Road, signposted for Sports centre and Primary care centre. Continue along Station Road, and onto Brinkburn Crescent. Take the 2nd left onto Brinkburn Crescent, signposted for Sports Centre and Primary Care Centre. Proceed past the 1st left and Leisure Centre car park, take the 2nd left to enter the Primary Care Centre car park. From the South and the A1(M) take junction 62 signposted Sunderland, Durham and A690. Take the A690 towards Sunderland. Continue along the A690 to the exit for Houghton-le-Spring and Washington on the A182. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit, signposted for the Town Centre, Washington A182. At the next roundabout take the 1st exit onto Hillside Way, signposted for Town Centre and Washington (A182). At the next roundabout take the 1st exit onto Newbottle Street, signposted for Town Centre. Take the 1st right onto Station Road, signposted for Sports Centre and Primary Care Centre. Continue along Station Road, and onto Brinkburn Crescent. Take the 2nd left onto Brinkburn Crescent, signposted for Sports Centre and Primary Care Centre. Proceed past the 1st left and Leisure Centre car park, take the 2nd left to enter the Primary Care Centre car park.
  • Free car parking is available in front of the centre. Blue Badge bays are available at the front of the car park, adjacent to the entrance area.
• By Bus View
  • Local buses are available to Brinkburn Crescent. Take Brinkburn Crescent towards the Town Centre for approximately 17m. Take the first right, following the signs for Sports Centre and Primary Care Centre. The Primary Care Centre is located on the left.
• By Train View
  • The nearest railway station is Chester-le-Street. Buses are available from Lambton Arms Public House to Brinkburn Crescent-Leyburn Grove. Exit the station onto Station Road. Proceed along Station Road, crossing the roundabout, to Front Street. Turn left onto Front Street and cross the road to the Lambton Arms Public House bus stop. Take the 'See it Do it 36' bus towards Castletown to Brinkburn Crescent-Leyburn Grove. Alternatively taxis are available from outside the station.
• Useful Links View
  • This link is for the contact and directions web page for Houghton Primary Care Centre on the NHS Choices website.
  • To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).

You are on Parking. Skip to the next section.

Parking

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• Parking View
  • The venue does have a dedicated car park.
  • The car park is located in front of 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 Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
  • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted and have markings which are faded.
  • There is/are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 356cm x 600cm (11ft 8in x 19ft 8in).
  • There is 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 are additional car parks for staff.
  • There is a staff car park at the rear of the building.
• 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 concrete tiles.
  • There is no tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the car park and the entrance.
  • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 24m (26yd 9in) from the main entrance.

You are on Bus Stop(s) and Drop-off Point(s). Skip to the next section.

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

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• Bus Stop(s) View
  • There is not an onsite bus stop.
• Drop-off Point(s) View
  • There is a/are clearly marked onsite drop-off point(s).
  • The drop-off point is located at the left hand side of the car park. The drop-off point is clearly marked and signposted.
  • There are dropped kerbs without tactile paving at the drop-off point. The drop-off point is approximately 45m from the main entrance. The surface of the pathway is tarmac. There is an easy gradient on the pathway.

You are on Outside Access (Main Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

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• Entrance Details View
  • This information is for the entrance located at the front left 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 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 173cm.
  • 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 152cm.
• Ramp/Slope Details View
  • The ramp/slope is located to the right on facing the entrance.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
• Comments View
  • There are bollards at the bottom of the slope.
  • The clear width between the bollards is 159cm.

You are on Entrance (Leisure Centre Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (Leisure Centre Entrance)

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• Entrance Details View
  • This information is for the entrance located on the first floor, at the left hand side of the building leading in from Houghton Leisure Centre.
  • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
  • There is step free access at this entrance.
  • There are no doors at this entrance.

You are on Reception (Main Reception). Skip to the next section.

Reception (Main Reception)

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• Reception View
  • The reception point is located ahead on entering the building.
  • The reception point is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • The reception area/desk is clearly 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 high (110cm+).
  • There is 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 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.
  • The hearing assistance system is not 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 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 sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
  • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.

You are on Reception (Sexual Health Reception). Skip to the next section.

Reception (Sexual Health Reception)

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• Reception View
  • The reception point is located at the right hand side of the building.
  • The reception point is approximately 38m (41yd 1ft) 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 high (110cm+).
  • There is 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 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.
  • 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 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 sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
  • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.

You are on Getting Around The Building. Skip to the next section.

Getting Around The Building

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• Access View
  • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
• Circulation View
  • There are not doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl and 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 some 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 provided in some corridors.
  • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • 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 provided.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
  • Dementia friendly signage is 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.

You are on Waiting Area(s) (Children's Waiting Area). Skip to the next section.

Waiting Area(s) (Children's Waiting Area)

• The seats do not have 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).
• The Children's Waiting Area is located at the rear right of the reception area. There is a television in the Children's Waiting Area. The television does not have subtitles. There are children's tables, chairs and toys.

You are on Other Floors. Skip to the next section.

Other Floors

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• 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.
  • 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 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 second lower handrail.
  • 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
  • There is a similar staircase to the left on entering the building, opposite the main reception (shown in photograph 4).

You are on Lift. Skip to the next section.

Lift

• There is a lift for public use.
• The lift is located at the rear left of the main reception foyer.
• Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
• The lift is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the main entrance.
• The lift is a standard lift.
• Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
• The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1.
• 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.
• Lighting levels are at least 100 lux at floor level in the lift lobby.
• 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 poor.
• The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
• The dimensions of the lift are 107cm x 208cm (3ft 6in x 6ft 10in).
• 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 good.

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• Comments View
  • There is a similar lift to the centre of the building.

You are on Changing Places. Skip to the next section.

Changing Places

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• Location and access View
  • The facility is located at the rear right of the main waiting area.
  • The facility is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the facility.
• Dimensions and features View
  • You do not need a key for the facility.
  • The dimensions of the facility are 322cm x 324cm.
  • The facility does have an unobstructed 200cm x 180cm (minimum) manoeuvring space.
  • The facility changing bench is wall mounted.
  • The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
  • The length of the facility changing bench is 192cm (6ft 4in).
  • The facility hoist is powered overhead.
  • The overhead hoist covers all areas in cubicle.
  • The sling is attached to the hoist by hook and loop.
  • The facility toilet has a transfer space on both sides.
  • The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 66cm (2ft 2in).
  • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 210cm (6ft 11in).
  • Wall mounted grab rails are available.
  • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
  • Dropdown rails are provided.
  • As you face the toilet the dropdown rail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • The type of wash basin is adjustable.
  • Wall mounted grab rails are not available at the wash basin.
  • Disposal facilities are available.
  • There is a/are general domestic waste disposal units.
  • A privacy screen is available.
  • Wide tear off paper roll is not available.
  • The facility has a non-slip floor.
  • A functioning emergency alarm is available.
  • There are mirrors.
  • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
  • There are coat hooks in the facility at 133cm and 145cm from the floor.
  • There is not a shelf for colostomy bags.
  • There is not a shower unit with a detachable shower head.
  • There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • Lighting levels are at least 300 lux at changing bench level.

You are on Accessible Toilet(s). Skip to the next section.

Accessible Toilet(s)

• The changing place is used as the accessible toilet.

You are on Standard Toilet(s). Skip to the next section.

Standard Toilet(s)

• Standard toilet facilities are available.

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• Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
  • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the rear right of the main reception waiting area.
  • The female and male toilets are approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
  • 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 push.
  • There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
  • Lighting levels are good.
  • Lighting levels are at least 100 lux at floor level.

You are on Parent and Baby Room (Baby Feeding Room). Skip to the next section.

Parent and Baby Room (Baby Feeding Room)

• There is a parent and baby room in the venue.
• The parent and baby room is located to the right hand side of the main reception waiting area.
• The parent and baby room is approximately 30m 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.
• There are disposal facilities in the parent and baby room.
• There is a wash basin in the parent and baby room.
• The height of the wash basin is 83cm.
• The tap type is push.
• There is a/are chair(s) in the parent and baby room.
• There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
• There is not a toilet in the parent and baby room.
• There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
• The lighting levels are good.

You are on Parent and Baby Room (Baby Change). Skip to the next section.

Parent and Baby Room (Baby Change)

• There is a parent and baby room in the venue.
• The parent and baby room is located to the right hand side of the main reception waiting area.
• The parent and baby room is approximately 28m 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 94cm (3ft 1in).
• There are disposal facilities in the parent and baby room.
• There is a wash basin in the parent and baby room.
• The height of the wash basin is 83cm.
• The tap type is push.
• There is a/are chair(s) in the parent and baby room.
• There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
• There is not a toilet in the parent and baby room.
• There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
• The lighting levels are good.