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Compton Ward

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

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Access Guide

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Overview (Northampton General Hospital)

Parking (Billing Road - Accessible Parking)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on the north side of the hospital site, off Billing Road.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 229cm (width) x 387cm (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 11m from the Billing Road Entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and uneven surfaces.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located at the rear 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 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 229cm (width) x 469cm (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 5m from the Billing Road Entrance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Getting To (Compton Ward)

  • Compton Ward is/are located on level 1 of Area S.
  • Access to Compton Ward is via the Billing Road Entrance.
  • Enter via the Billing Road Entrance, continue ahead and down the ramp, then turn left and go along the corridor. Take the lift located on the left to Level 1, on exiting the lift the Compton Ward is located through the double doors.
  • There is step free access to Compton Ward.
  • Compton Ward is approximately 8m from the Compton and Victoria Wards lift.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the lift and the department/service.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.

Entrance (Billing Road Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on the north side of the hospital site, off Billing Road.
  • 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 a key fob/card reader at a height of 125cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 138cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 136cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Level Change (Billing Road Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located as soon as you enter from the Billing road entrance.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are medium.

Other Floors (Compton and Victoria Wards)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • 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 going of the step(s) is/are 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 cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do 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 (Area S - Lift No.18)

  • The lift surveyed is located in Area S, off the main corridor.
  • The distance from Billing Road Entrance is 46m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has a steep ramp or slope and doors permanently held open.
  • The ground, first and second floors 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 a low visual contrast.
  • 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 140cm (width) x 232cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a low 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 and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Ward

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an frailty ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 4 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 2 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 18 bed(s) on this ward in total.
  • Ward Access View
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 180cm (5ft 11in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • There is no 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.
    • There is some flooring on the ward which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the ward reception desk is 117cm.
    • There is a lowered section.
    • The height of the lowered section of the desk is 74cm.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • Relatives' Room View
    • There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
  • Example Side Room View
    • 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 visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is high.
    • The lighting levels in the side room are medium.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • A hearing assistance system is 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.
  • Visitor Facilities View
    • There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located off the ramp leading from the Billing Road Entrance.
    • There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located off the ramp leading from the Billing Road Entrance.
  • Visiting Times View
    • There are set visiting times for the ward.
    • Visiting times are 14.00 - 16.30 and 18.00 - 20.00.
    • The visiting times are the same for each day.

Room / Area (Day Room)

  • There is / are 1 room(s) / area(s) available.
  • There is level access to the room / area.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the room / area.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • The type of flooring is carpet.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is not a bed / couch.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
  • All chairs have armrests available.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • The room / area does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room / area.
  • Lighting levels are medium.

Washroom (Ward Toilet and Shower)

  • Washroom Details View
    • The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
    • There is/are 1 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
    • There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
    • This washroom is interchangeable between male and female.
    • There is pictorial and 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 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The dimensions of the washroom are 393cm x 270cm (12ft 11in x 8ft 10in).
    • 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 not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s) 170cm 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 75cm.
    • As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
    • The tap type is lever. It is not 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 118cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 116cm.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • The washroom has a non-slip floor.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
    • There is a rail with a padded back rest.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 170cm.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the toilet.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 94cm.
    • There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The shower control type is twist/turn.
    • A shower chair is available.
    • There are not wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
    • The shower cubicle is accessed via a steep slope.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
    • The visual contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is high.
    • The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The visual contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
    • Lighting levels are bright.

Standard Toilet(s)

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