Access Guide
Getting To The Hospital
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By Road
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- 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.
- Northampton General Hospital is located on Billing Road and Cliftonville Road. The postcode for the Sat-Nav is NN1 5BD
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By Bus
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- 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.
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By Train
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- 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).
- The nearest station to Northampton General Hospital is Northampton.
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Useful Links
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- The link below is for the train provider for Northampton.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- The link below is for the bus provider for Northampton.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
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.
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Comments
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- 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)
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Parking
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- 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.
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Drop-off Point
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- 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.
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Paying
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- 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).
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Access to the Hospital
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- 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.
Outside Access (Cheyne Walk - Main Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- 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.
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Ramp/Slope Details
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- 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.
Getting To (Balmoral Ward/The Barratt Birth Centre)
- Balmoral Ward/The Barratt Birth Centre is/are located in Area L.
- Access to Balmoral Ward/The Barratt Birth Centre is via the Cheyne Walk entrance.
- Enter via the Cheyne Walk entrance and turn right. Continue ahead and enter the Eye Outpatients located on the left. At the end of the corridor take the lift to the first floor. On exiting turn left and the ward is located ahead.
- There is step free access to Balmoral Ward/The Barratt Birth Centre.
- Balmoral Ward/The Barratt Birth Centre is approximately 8m from the lift.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is provided.
- There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
Ward
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Ward Information
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- This is a/an maternity ward.
- This is a female ward.
- There is/are 1 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 8 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 12 bed(s) on this ward in total.
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Ward Access
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- There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 156cm (5ft 1in).
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 151cm (4ft 11in).
- There is not a hand sanitiser.
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- There is level access throughout the ward.
- There is clear signage on the ward.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The lighting levels are medium.
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Relatives' Room
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- There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
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Example Side Room
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- There are no side rooms available with an accessible ensuite.
- The side room surveyed does not have an accessible ensuite.
- The width of the door opening into the side room is over 75cm.
- The side room surveyed does not have a ceiling track hoist.
- There is not sufficient space next to the bed for a mobile hoist to operate.
- There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
- Bedside storage is available.
- The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is high.
- The lighting levels in the side room are medium.
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Ward Features and Patient Facilities
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- A hearing assistance system is not available on the ward.
- The ward does not play background music.
- There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
- A mobile hoist is available on the ward.
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Visitor Facilities
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- There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located at the Billing Road entrance.
- There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located at the Billing Road entrance.
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Visiting Times
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- There are set visiting times for the ward.
- Visiting times are 15.30-19.30.
- The visiting times are the same for each day.
Washroom (Ward Toilet and Shower)
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Washroom Details
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- The washroom surveyed has a shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This washroom is female.
- There is written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
- The washroom door(s) open(s) inwards.
- The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
- The door(s) is/are heavy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 153cm x 271cm (5ft x 8ft 11in).
- The washroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
- There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is not a coat hook in the washroom.
- There is a mirror.
- There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the wash basin is 81cm.
- There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the wash basin.
- The tap type is lever. It is 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 101cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 115cm.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
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Toilet Details
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- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet has a wall which can act as a back rest.
- There is not a lateral transfer space.
- There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
- There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the toilet.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 88cm.
- There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
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Shower Details
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- There is a wheel in shower.
- The shower does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The shower control type is twist/turn.
- There is no seat for the shower.
- There are not wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
- The shower cubicle is accessed via a medium step.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is high.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Washroom (Ensuite Toilet and Shower)
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Washroom Details
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- The washroom surveyed has a shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This washroom is female.
- There is written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
- The washroom door(s) open(s) outwards.
- The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
- The door(s) is/are light to open.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 305cm x 250cm (10ft x 8ft 2in).
- The washroom does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
- There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is a/are coat hook(s) 163cm from the floor.
- There is a mirror.
- There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the wash basin is 84cm.
- As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
- The tap type is lever. It is 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 103cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 114cm.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
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Toilet Details
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- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet has a wall which can act as a back rest.
- 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.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
- There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the toilet.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 83cm.
- There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
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Shower Details
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- There is a wheel in shower.
- The shower does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The shower control type is twist/turn.
- There is no seat for the shower.
- There are not wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
- The shower cubicle is accessed via a medium step.
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Bath Details
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- There is not a bath.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is high.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Main Hospital Building - Areas A, B, C, D, E, F and G link (new tab) - click here.
- Main Hospital Building - Areas L and M link (new tab) - click here.