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Balmoral Ward/The Barratt Birth Centre

Northampton General Hospital, Cliftonville, Northampton, NN1 5BD

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Balmoral Ward/The Barratt Birth Centre)

Parking (Car Park 4)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on the west side of the hospital site.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 6 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 474cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 122cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 12m from the Cheyne Walk Entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a steep ramp or slope.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located at the side of the car park.
    • There is not a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is not a level manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user in front of the payment machine (185cm x 210cm).
    • View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are 5 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 239cm (width) x 468cm (depth).
    • The controls are not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points require an app.
    • There are 2 electric vehicle charging points designated for Blue Badge holders.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay designated for Blue Badge holders are 228cm (width) x 478cm (depth).
    • The controls for the Blue Badge charging points are not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster for the Blue Badge charging points is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points designated for Blue Badge holders require an app.
    • The nearest Blue Badge charging point is 31m from the Cheyne Walk Entrance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located to the right of the Cheyne Walk Entrance.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the drop-off point.

Entrance (Cheyne Walk Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on the west side of the hospital site.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a steep gradient.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 192cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 143cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift (Area L - Lift No.14)

  • The lift surveyed is located in Area L, off the main corridor.
  • The distance from Cheyne Walk Entrance is 23m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Floor 0, 1 and 2 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and Braille markings.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 129cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 137cm (width) x 239cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Ward (Balmoral Ward/The Barratt Birth Centre)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a birth centre.
    • This is a female only ward.
    • There is 1 bay available.
    • There are 9 side rooms available.
    • There are 13 beds in total on the ward.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this ward.
    • There is an intercom at a height of 152cm.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 123cm.
    • There are double manual doors with a medium visual contrast.
    • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
    • The locked door can be opened on request.
    • The doors open away from you.
    • The width of the opening is 79cm.
    • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 142cm.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: washrooms.
    • The nearest toilet with adaptations for visitors is located on the ground floor, in Area E.
  • Visiting Hours View

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Balmoral Ward/The Barratt Birth Centre)

Bathroom with Adaptations (Shower and Toilet)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located along the Balmoral Ward corridor and on the left.
    • The most accessible route to the bathroom has step-free level access, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
    • There is step-free level access into the bathroom.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 146cm (width) x 263cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is not a lateral transfer space next to the toilet.
    • There is a push button flush for the toilet.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
    • The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 84cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 81cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 117cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is a shelf, however there is an obstruction in front of it.
    • The shelf meets the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The bathroom has a clinical waste bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • The bathroom has a shower with a step.
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are twist/turn.
    • There is no shower seat.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower, however it was tied up at the time of the survey.