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Echocardiography

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • By Road View
    • Barnsley Hospital is located on Billing and Cliftonville Roads and 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 operates a Pay and Display system with payment machines in each car park.
  • By Bus View
    • There are several services which drop off outside the hospital on Billing Road and Cliftonville. These include routes 1, 3, 5, 9B, 51.
    • 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,.
  • By Train View
    • 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 min drive).
  • Useful Links View

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 545784.
  • 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 receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Volunteers can be found At the Cliftonville Main Entrance and the South Entrance.
  • 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.

Hospital Parking (South Entrance - Main Car Park)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located at the front of the hospital.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does have a barrier control system.
    • The barrier controls/touchscreen can be reached from the car.
    • 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 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 331cm x 611cm (10ft 10in x 20ft 1in).
    • 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.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located outside the South Entrance.
    • There is not a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located throughout 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 at the front of the car park and at the side of the car park.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is not 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).
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • 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 dropped kerbs.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the South Entrance.

Getting To (Echocardiography)

  • Echocardiography is/are located on Level 2 in Area C.
  • Access to Echocardiography is via the South Entrance.
  • Enter via the South Entrance and continue ahead following the corridor around.
    Take either lift 4 or 5, which are located on the right, to level 2.
    Exit the lift and turn right, proceed ahead and then turn right.
    Continue ahead and Echocardiography is located ahead.
    Please note the department is signed Orthopaedic Clinic Research Clinic.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Echocardiography.
  • Echocardiography is approximately 12m from the lifts 4 and 5.
  • There are resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.

Outside Access (South Entrance - Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the south side of the hospital.
    • 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.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not 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 not an intercom.
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 142cm.
    • 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.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 133cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.

Other Floors (South Entrance/Cliftonville Entrance)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on the ground floor.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not 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 not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Lift (South Entrance/Cliftonville Entrance Main Lifts - 4/5)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located down the corridor and to the right as you enter the South Entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 17m (18yd 1ft) from the South Entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is good.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 131cm (4ft 4in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 163cm x 282cm (5ft 4in x 9ft 3in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.
  • Comments View
    • The lifts detailed above also serve the Cliftonville Entrance.
    • They are located ahead as you enter the Cliftonville Entrance and to the left.

Department / Service (Echocardiography)

  • Department / Service Access View
    • Echocardiography is located on level 2 of Area C.
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the department/service.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 79cm.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • There is level access throughout the department/service.
    • There is no clear signage on the department/service.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is flooring in the department/service which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • The department/service does play background music.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Department / Service Facilities View
    • This department/service has; a main reception, a waiting room/area and consultation rooms.
    • There are 4 consultation/treatment rooms in this department/service.
    • A hearing assistance system is available.
    • The type of system is a portable loop.
    • Staff are trained to use the system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested on 23/08/2023.
    • The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
    • A mobile hoist is not available on the department/service.
    • There are not accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground level on Hospital Street.
    • There are not standard toilet facilities within this department/service.
    • Standard toilet facilities are located on the ground level on Hospital Street.

Opening Times (Echocardiology)

  • Monday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Tuesday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Wednesday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Thursday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Friday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Saturday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Sunday 08:30 - 18:00.

Reception (Echocardiography)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located just beyond the entrance doors to the right.
    • The reception point is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the department 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 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 moderate to good.
    • The height of the reception counter is high (110cm+).
    • There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
    • There is not 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 portable loop.
    • The hearing assistance system is not signed.
    • Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested on 23/08/2023.
    • The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
    • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided in the reception area.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There is bench seating and single seats with armrests.
    • The waiting room / area does have background music playing.
    • There is a red 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 space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Room 3)

  • There is / are 4 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; Room 3.
  • 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 easy to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 75cm (2ft 6in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is a bed / couch.
  • The bed / couch is adjustable.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
  • There are some chairs with armrests available.
  • All tables are permanently fixed.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.

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