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Main Hospital Building - Areas L and M

Northampton General Hospital, Cliftonville, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 5BD

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • By Road View
    • Northampton General Hospital is located on Billing Road and Cliftonville Road. The postcode for the Sat-Nav is NN1 5BD
      If coming from the west via the A45, exit at the Junction with the A428 and continue on the A428 towards Northampton Town Centre.
      After approximately 600m take the right hand lane marked Hospital and turn right at the traffic lights on to Cliftonville Road.
      Turning left at the next traffic lights will take you directly to the car park 1- the main hospital car park.
      If coming from Northampton Town Centre take Derngate, York Road, Billing Road before turning right on to Cliftonville Road where it will then be a right turn to access car park 1.
    • There are several open air car parks open to the public, they are accessible from York Road, Cliftonville Road and Billing Road
      Parking outside the Hospital main entrance is sheltered.
      Parking charges apply to all car park users and a Pay and Display system is in operation with payment machines in each car park.
  • By Bus View
    • There are several bus services which drop off outside the hospital on Billing Road and Cliftonville. These include routes 1, 3, 5, 9B and 51.
    • There is not an onsite bus stop.
    • General Hospital (Stop A) and General Hospital (Stop B) are located on Cliftonville.

      General Hospital (Stops C, D, E and F) are located on Billing Road.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest station to Northampton General Hospital is Northampton.
      Northampton General Hospital is 1.4 miles from the train station via St Andrews Road, Grafton Street, Upper Mounts, Lower Mounts, York Road and Billing Road (8 minute drive).
  • Useful Links View

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 in Area R.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 01604 545 784.
  • 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 do not receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Hospital staff do not receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Volunteers can be found at the Cliftonville Main Entrance and the South Entrance.
  • No hospital staff receive deaf awareness training.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, different languages on request and audio on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available on request.
  • BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
  • Comments View
    • There is a buggy shuttle service for patients and visitors operated by volunteers that picks up from the information point at the South Entrance and runs along Hospital Street and to other parts of the hospital.

Hospital Parking (Cheyne Walk - Car Park 4)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located off Cheyne Walk.
    • 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.
    • There is/are 9 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 245cm x 480cm (8ft x 15ft 9in).
    • There is not 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.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located opposite the Cheyne Walk Entrance.
    • There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the hospital 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.
    • Payment machines are located in the standard parking area.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
    • To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
  • Access to the Hospital 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 hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the Cheyne Walk Entrance.

Opening Times

  • Monday 06:00 - 22:00.
  • Tuesday 06:00 - 22:00.
  • Wednesday 06:00 - 22:00.
  • Thursday 06:00 - 22:00.
  • Friday 06:00 - 22:00.
  • Saturday 06:00 - 22:00.
  • Sunday 06:00 - 22:00.

Outside Access (Cheyne Walk - Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located off Cheyne Walk.
    • 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/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 112cm (3ft 8in).
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 158cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 146cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

Outside Access (West Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building opposite Area K.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • There are bollards outside this entrance.
    • The minimum width between the bollards/wall is 192cm.
    • The bollard(s) does/do not have a good colour contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 182cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 182cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of and between the two sets of doors.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building.
    • There is a steep ramp, with no handrails, for access to the Robert Watson Ward.
    • There is a slight ramp, with handrails on both sides, for access to the Disney Ward.
    • The ramp or slope does not bypass the step(s).
  • Circulation View
    • There are 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 which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • Handrails are provided in corridors.
    • Seating is not provided in corridors.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Signage and Wayfinding View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
    • The wayfinding signage includes some pictograms.
    • Dementia friendly signage is provided.
    • Maps are provided at key intersections.
  • 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.

Other Floors (Balmoral Ward)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are 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/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are 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 provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are varied.

Lift (Balmoral Ward - Lift 14)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right as you enter the Cheyne Walk entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 26m (28yd 1ft) from the Cheyne Walk 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, 2.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are 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 good.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 128cm (4ft 2in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 158cm x 246cm (5ft 2in x 8ft 1in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is 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 assistance system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Other Floors (Eye Outpatients)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are 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/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are 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 not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are 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 provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Lift (Eye Outpatients - Lift 15)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located ahead as you enter the Eye Outpatients department and then to the left.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Cheyne Walk 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, 2.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are 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 good.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 99cm (3ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 234cm x 142cm (7ft 8in x 4ft 8in).
  • 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 a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located along the main hospital corridor.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • 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 to the right as you enter the Cheyne Walk Entrance.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the Cheyne Walk Entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
    • Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located inside the female toilets.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 94cm (3ft 1in).
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.

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