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Acute Assessment Unit (AAU)

Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Hinchingbrooke Park, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 6NT

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

Getting Help and Assistance

  • There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
  • The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located at the rear of the entrance foyer.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 01480 428 964.
  • The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is [email protected]
  • There are volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
  • Volunteers can be found at the reception desk.
  • Volunteers do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: large print on request and different languages on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • Hospital staff and volunteers receive deaf awareness training.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available on request.
  • BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • A mobility scooter charging point is not available at the hospital.
  • Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs, mobile hoists and adjustable beds.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact reception.
  • Additional hospital services link (new tab) - click here.

Parking (Main Entrance)

  • There is a designated drop off point.
  • The drop off point is located outside the main entrance.
  • There is a dropped kerb from the drop off point.
  • There is tactile paving on the dropped kerb.
  • Comments View
    • There are 6 Blue Badge bays available outside the main entrance.

Parking (No. 2)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
    • The car park is located in front of the main entrance.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • There is/are 26 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 360cm x 470cm (11ft 10in x 15ft 5in).
    • The nearest designated bay is 68m (74yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest designated bay is 164m (179yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • 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 uneven surfaces.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
    • The patron does have to cross a road.
    • The road is generally quiet.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • Car park 2 has a pay on exit, token operated barrier.
    • A token is collected at the entry barrier which you keep with you during your visit to the hospital.
    • On leaving the hospital the token requires validation at the pay machines.
    • These are located in the hospital main entrance and at the edge of the car park.
    • On leaving the hospital use the validated token at the exit barrier.

Getting To (Acute Assessment Unit)

  • Acute Assessment Unit is/are located on the ground floor.
  • To see the hospital map please click here (opens new tab).
  • Access to Acute Assessment Unit is via the main entrance.
  • Enter via the main entrance and proceed past the main reception. Cross the foyer past Costa Coffee and follow the main corridor to the end. Turn left and continue to the end of the corridor, turn left again and towards the end of the corridor the Acute Assessment Unit on the right.
  • There is step free access to Acute Assessment Unit.
  • Acute Assessment Unit is approximately 148m from the main entrance.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the main entrance and the department/service.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.

Outside Access (Emergency Care Centre Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located in front of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main doors open automatically.
  • The doors are double width.
  • Comments View
    • The automatic door is push pad operated.
    • The push pad is not at a convenient height for wheelchair users.

Level Change (Emergency Care Centre Entrance)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The ramp or slope is easy.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.

Outside Access (AAU Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor, off the Emergency Care Centre.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main doors open automatically.
  • The doors are single width.
  • The door opening is 90cm (2ft 11in) wide.
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The doors open towards you (pull).
    • The doors are double width.
    • The doors are heavy.
    • The door opening is 160cm (5ft 3in) wide.
  • Comments View
    • The entrance door is push pad operated.

Opening Times

  • The venue is open 24hrs.

Reception

  • The desk is 14m (15yd 11in) from the unit entrance.
  • There is level access to reception from the entrance.
  • The reception desk is high.
  • The desk has a lowered section.
  • The desk is generally staffed.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • There is not a touch screen.
  • There is not a bell to attract attention.
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the desk.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl.
  • The lighting levels are bright.

Ward

  • There is level access to the ward.
  • The is not ward single sex.
  • There are 4 bays available.
  • There are 2 side rooms available.
  • The area / room / bay surveyed was Bay 5.
  • There are doors to the bay / side room.
  • The main doors open automatically.
  • The doors are single width.
  • The door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in) wide.
  • The type of flooring is vinyl.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre between beds.
  • All beds are adjustable.
  • All beds have bedside storage.
  • A hoist is available.
  • The hoist is manual.
  • A sling is available.
  • The sling is attached by hook and loop.
  • There is not an accessible toilet for visitors to use on the ward.
  • There is not an accessible toilet for visitors to use outside the ward.
  • There is a standard toilet for visitors to use on the ward.
  • There is a bathroom on the ward.
  • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • The automatic door is push button operated.
    • The button is at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • Each bay is single sex with wash facilities.

Accessible Bathroom (Bay 5 Ensuite)

  • There are accessible bathrooms available.
  • Location and access View
    • The bathroom is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • The accessible bathroom is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the unit entrance.
  • Features and dimensions View
    • A key is not required for the accessible bathroom.
    • The door opens inwards and outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door weight is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 210cm x 230cm (6ft 11in x 7ft 7in).
    • The bathroom has a non slip floor.
    • Floor manoeuvring space is not clear in the bathroom.
  • Position of fixtures View
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • The lateral transfer space is 140cm (4ft 7in).
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is no flush on the transfer side.
  • Features and dimensions View
    • There is a functional emergency alarm available.
    • There is not a push button style of alarm.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a coat hook.
    • The coat hook is not within 120cm (3ft 11in) from floor level.
  • Position of fixtures View
    • Wall mounted rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • 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 sink.
    • The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The sink is 80cm (2ft 7in) high.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap for the sink.
    • There are mirrors in the accessible bathroom.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
  • Bath details View
    • There is not a bath.
  • Wheel in shower details View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head height is adjustable.
    • The shower control type is twist/turn.
    • The shower seat is flip down.
    • The flip down or fixed seat height is 51cm (1ft 8in).
    • There are handrails available.
  • Colour contrast and lighting View
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • Adapted shower rooms are available in all the bays.

Standard Toilet(s)

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