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 (Billing Road - Accessible Parking)
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Car Park
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- 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.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- 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).
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Electric Vehicle Charging Points
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- 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.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop-off point available.
Getting To (Gynaecology Day Care Unit)
- Gynaecology Day Care Unit is/are located in Area S.
- Access to Gynaecology Day Care Unit is via the Billing Road Entrance.
- Enter via the Billing Road Entrance, go straight ahead down the ramp and turn right at the bottom. Continue ahead and turn left at the end of the corridor into the Gynaecology Unit. The Gynaecology Day Care Unit reception is located on the right.
- There is ramped/sloped access to Gynaecology Day Care Unit.
- Gynaecology Day Care Unit is approximately 115m from the Billing Road Entrance.
- There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the Billing Road Entrance and the department/service.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is provided.
- There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes 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.
Entrance (Gynaecology Unit Entrance - Area S)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located in Area S.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- The main 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 160cm.
Reception (Gynaecology Day Care Unit Admissions and Waiting Area)
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Reception
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- The reception point is located opposite the Gynaecology Day Care Unit Entrance.
- The reception point is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the Gynaecology Day Care Unit Entrance.
- Clear signage for the reception area/desk is 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 hearing assistance system.
- 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.
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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.
- There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
- There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
- The waiting room / area does have background music playing.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
- There is not a television.
- Subtitles are not 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 not space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
- Lighting levels are good.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Consultation Room)
- There is / are 2 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- 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) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 77cm (2ft 6in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is not 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 adjustable.
- There are no chairs with armrests available.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- Lighting levels are low.
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Comments
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- The two consultation rooms are located in the admissions reception and waiting area.
Ward
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Ward Information
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- This is a/an gynaecology day care ward.
- This is a female ward.
- There is/are 1 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 0 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 5 bed(s) on this ward in total.
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Ward Access
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- 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 160cm (5ft 3in).
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- There is level access throughout the ward.
- There is 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.
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Reception/Nurses' Station
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- The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 72cm.
- There is not a lowered section.
- There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
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Relatives' Room
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- There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
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Ward Features and Patient Facilities
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- A hearing assistance system is not available on the ward.
- The ward does not play background music.
- There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
- A mobile hoist is not available on the ward.
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Visitor Facilities
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- There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located at the Gynaecology Unit entrance.
- There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located at the Gynaecology Unit entrance.
Toilet with Adaptations
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is located to the right of the bay.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The door is light.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 262cm x 150cm (8ft 7in x 4ft 11in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 81cm (2ft 8in).
- The lateral transfer space was obstructed at the time of the survey.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is a spatula type lever flush.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are female sanitary, general domestic waste and clinical waste disposal units.
- There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the cubicle.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is not a mirror.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 90cm.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- There is a high visual contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are bright.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are not available.
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Comments
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- The nearest standard toilet is located to the right as you enter the Gynaecology Unit.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Main Hospital Building - Areas N, R, S and T link (new tab) - click here.
- Gynaecology Unit Entrance link (new tab) - click here.
- Gynaecology Unit - Urogynaecology link (new tab) - click here.
