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Benham Hyper Acute Stroke Unit

Northampton General Hospital, Cliftonville, Northampton, NN1 5BD

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Benham Hyper Acute Stroke Unit)

  • The most accessible route from the Cliftonville Entrance - Accessible Parking and Drop-Off has step-free level access, uneven surfaces and a dropped kerb with tactile paving.
  • View further information about parking at the hospital (opens new tab).
  • Access to the Benham Hyper Acute Stroke Unit is via the Cliftonville Entrance.
  • There is a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • View further information about entrances (opens new tab).
  • The Benham Hyper Acute Stroke Unit is located within Area C on the second floor.
  • The Benham Hyper Acute Stroke Unit is approximately 75m from the lift (Area E - Lift No.4 and 5).
  • Enter the hospital via the Cliftonville entrance and proceed to the Area E lifts (Lift No.4 and 5) ahead and on the left.
  • Take a lift to the second floor.
  • Exit the lift and turn left.
  • Follow the corridor as it bends to the right and then to the left, continue ahead and then then turn right.
  • Proceed to the very end of this corridor and the entrance to the Benham Hyper Acute Stroke Unit is located on the right.
  • Internally the most accessible route has step-free level access, a lift and doors permanently held open.
  • Some flooring along the route is shiny.
  • There are resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The following toilet facilities are available along the route; a toilet with adaptations (with right hand transfer) and standard toilets.
  • View information about accessible toilet facilities in public areas (opens new tab).
  • View more information on getting to and around the hospital (opens new tab).

Parking (Cliftonville Entrance - Accessible Parking and Drop-Off)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on the north side of the hospital site, to the left of the Cliftonville Entrance.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 231cm (width) x 459cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 134cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 25m from the Cliftonville Entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and uneven surfaces.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located to the left of the Cliftonville Entrance.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the drop-off point.

Entrance (Cliftonville Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on the north side of the hospital site.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 137cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 119cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 116cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 116cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift (Area E - Lift No.4 and 5)

  • The lift surveyed is located in Area E, off Hospital Street.
  • The distance from South Entrance is 53m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has steep ramps or slopes.
  • The lower ground, ground, first and second floor 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.
  • The majority of the external controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 128cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 148cm (width) x 252cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which vary in size.

Ward (Benham Hyper Acute Stroke Unit)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a hyper acute stroke unit.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There are 4 bays available.
    • There are 4 side rooms available.
    • There are 20+ 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.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 115cm.
    • There are double manual doors with a high 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 75cm.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor have a high 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 were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • Reception / Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the desk is 111cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The desk has a television.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • Seating available on the ward includes: chairs without armrests.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: toilets with adaptations and washrooms.
    • The nearest toilet with adaptations for visitors is located on the first floor of Area D, off the right side corridor.
  • Visiting Hours View

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Benham Hyper Acute Stroke Unit)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located halfway along the unit corridor, on the right.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The washroom facilities which have adaptations are located to the left as you enter the unit, within the red bay.
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located at the end of the unit corridor, on the right.

Bathroom with Adaptations (Shower)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located at the end of the unit corridor, on the right.
    • The most accessible route to the bathroom has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the bathroom.
    • There is pictorial and 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 83cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 167cm (width) x 322cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • The wash basin is 83cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 105cm from the floor.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 109cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is a shelf, however there is an obstruction in front of it.
    • The shelf does not meet 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 high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • The bathroom has a wheel-in shower.
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is a shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 47cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails for the shower.
    • The shower grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower within 10cm from the floor.
    • The opening to the shower is 96cm wide.

Bathroom with Adaptations (Shower and Toilet)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located to the left as you enter the unit, within the red bay.
    • The most accessible route to the bathroom has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into the bathroom.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
    • 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 180cm (width) x 240cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 125cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There are horizontal grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The horizontal grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm 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 115cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 83cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 108cm 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 134cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is a shelf, however there is an obstruction in front of it.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The bathroom has a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • The bathroom has a wheel-in shower.
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is a shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails for the shower.
    • The shower grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower within 10cm from the floor.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located halfway along the unit corridor, on the right.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 83cm.
    • 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 cubicle are 146cm (width) x 234cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 71cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There are horizontal grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The horizontal grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 44cm 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 71cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 80cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 111cm 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 127cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a clinical waste bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.