Access Guide
Overview (Northampton General Hospital)
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About
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- This is a hospital with multiple services available.
- Services available in the venue include: Cafe's, convenience shops, restaurants and a pharmacy.
- View information on opening times
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Parking and Public Transport
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- The venue has its own car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
- There is a drop-off point.
- The nearest train station is Northampton.
- The nearest bus station is Northampton.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Traveline.info (opens new tab).
- View information on getting here (opens new tab) .
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Getting In and Around
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- There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
- There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
- Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, manual doors, doors permanently held open, automatic doors and narrow aisles.
- Lower Ground, Ground, Floor 1 and Floor 2 can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
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Getting Help and Assistance
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- There is seating available.
- There is no hearing assistance system.
- You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
- British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
- There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
- There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
- Additional facilities/services include: a pay phone, Wi-Fi and TV pre-pay machines for patients.
Parking (Car Park 3)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located on the south side of the hospital site.
- The car park is open air/surface.
- The car park surface consists of tarmac.
- There are 9 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
- The Blue Badge bays have faded markings.
- The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 260cm (width) x 445cm (depth).
- There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
- The width of the marked zone is 129cm.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
- The nearest designated bay is 16m from the Diabetes Centre Entrance.
- The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a steep ramp or slope.
- There is no dropped kerb from the designated Blue Badge parking.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- 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 within the main hospital building.
- 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).
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Drop-off Point
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- There is a designated drop-off point available.
- The designated drop-off point is located on the right side of the car park.
Outside Access (Area K3)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located off of Car Park 3.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is step free 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 162cm.
- The bollard(s) has/have a high colour contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
- The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 120cm .
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The automatic door(s) is/are push pad activated.
- The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
- The width of the door opening is 103cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
Getting To (Day Surgery Unit)
- The Day Surgery Unit is/are located in Area K.
- Access to the Day Surgery Unit is via the K3 Entrance.
- Enter via the K3 entrance and bare right, the entrance is directly ahead.
- There is step free access to the Day Surgery Unit .
- The Day Surgery Unit is approximately 3m from the K3 Entrance.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
- There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
Entrance
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor K3 block.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 128cm (4ft 2in).
- There is a door release button when exiting.
- The height of the door release button is 112cm (3ft 8in).
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
- The width of the door opening is 85cm.
Reception
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Reception
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- The reception point is located to right of the entrance.
- The reception point is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the entrance.
- The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step free access to the reception point.
- There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
- There are no windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
- The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
- The height of the reception counter is high (110cm+) .
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the counter.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is not a bell to attract attention.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
- Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are provided in the reception area.
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Reception Waiting Area
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- There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
- Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate and wood.
- There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
- There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
- There is a television.
- Subtitles are available.
- Vending machines are not available.
- A water dispenser is not available.
- There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
- Lighting levels are good.
Inside Access
- There is level access once inside.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
- Wayfinding signage is available.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
- The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate.
- There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The lighting levels are varied.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Pre-op Assessment)
- There is / are 3 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Pre-op Assessment.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is a bed / couch.
- The bed / couch is adjustable.
- A hoist can be brought in from another department.
- There is not sufficient space next to the bed/couch for a mobile hoist to operate.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is not/are not adjustable.
- There are some chairs with armrests available.
- Some tables are permanently fixed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Waiting Room / Area (Children's Waiting)
- There is a waiting room / area.
- There is level access into the waiting room / area.
- There is a/are door(s) into the waiting room / area.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs with armrests are available.
- Announcements are in person.
- The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
- There is not a television.
- Vending machines are not available.
- A water dispenser is not available.
- There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
- There is not space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Waiting Room / Area (Patient Waiting Area 2)
- There is a waiting room / area.
- There is level access into the waiting room / area.
- There is a/are door(s) into the waiting room / area.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs with armrests are available.
- Announcements are in person.
- The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
- There is not a television.
- Vending machines are not available.
- A water dispenser is not available.
- There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
- There is not space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Day Room / Lounge Area (Stage 2 Recovery)
- There is a day room/lounge area.
- There is level access into the day room/lounge area.
- The day room/lounge area is always open.
- There is not a/are not door(s) into the day room/lounge area.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is a space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- There is a television.
- Subtitles are available.
- There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Toilet with Adaptations (Female Toilet - Right Hand Transfer)
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Location and Access
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- The accessible toilet was out of use at the time of the survey.
- This accessible toilet is located within the Stage 2 Recovery Area.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is light.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 152cm x 195cm.
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 85cm.
- The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a sensor flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 150cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The toilet has a backrest.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 105cm (3ft 5in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 69cm (2ft 3in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The wash basin tap type is sensor.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 102cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 107cm (3ft 6in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is high.
- There is not a hand dryer.
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Comments
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- The male toilet is similar but with a left hand transfer.
- The children's WC in the waiting area is similar and is a left hand transfer.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female and male toilets are located within the main corridor.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 24m from the entrance.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
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.
- area K link (new tab) - click here.
