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St Margarets Community Hospital - Mental Health Unit

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.
    • 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 to the crossing. Cross the hospital site main road via the raised tarmac crossing, which slopes down slightly, and has tactile paving on near side only. On the far side of the crossing, the tarmac path slopes up slightly, to some tactile paving. Turn right here and take concrete tile path to the main entrance. The 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 in front of the building, off the hospital site main road.
    • 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 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 415cm x 415cm (13ft 7in x 13ft 7in).
    • 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 to the side of 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 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 tarmac, concrete tiles and concrete.
    • There is no tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the car park and the entrance.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) 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 clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped 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 intercom is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The width of the door opening is 91cm.
    • 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 slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step Details View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 1 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The going of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located just inside the main entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) 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 not windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
    • The height of the reception counter is low (76cm or lower).
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on 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.
    • 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 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
    • If there is no one at reception, there are intercoms, between 112-116cm high, at the entrance to the corridor to contact the wards for access.

Getting Around The Building

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the ground floor.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
    • There are corridors with a surface width of less than 120cm (excluding any permanent obstructions over a small distance).
    • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is laminate.
    • 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 most corridors surveyed.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
  • 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 hospital main reception, in the Epping Forest Unit.
    • The hearing assistance system is available only on request.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • 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.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are staff offices.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The accessible toilet surveyed is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right of the main entrance as you enter.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) 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 heavy.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 129cm x 167cm (4ft 3in x 5ft 6in).
    • 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 69cm (2ft 3in).
    • There is no dropdown rail.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 111cm from floor level.
    • There is not an emergency alarm.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are general domestic waste and female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • There are coat hooks in the toilet at 169cm and 179cm 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 left 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 wall which acts as a backrest.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 43cm (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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 103cm (3ft 5in).
    • 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 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 98cm.
    • 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.
  • 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 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.
    • Lighting levels are at least 100 lux at floor level.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the first floor.
    • Inside the venue, there is not 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 twist/turn.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • Lighting levels are not at least 100 lux at floor level.

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