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.
Hospital Parking (Centre for Elderly Medicine)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders and staff only.
- The car park is located in front of the Centre for Elderly Medicine.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park does not have a barrier control system.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a/are clearly marked/signposted Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
- There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 300cm x 640cm.
- 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.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is a designated drop-off point.
- The drop-off point is located in front of the Centre for Elderly Medicine.
- There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
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Paying
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- 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 between Car Park 5 and the Centre for Elderly Medicine parking.
- 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).
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Access to the Hospital
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- 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 slopes/ramps.
- The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 26m (28yd 1ft) from the Centre for Elderly Medicine Entrance.
Getting To (Rheumatology and Stroke Clinic Outpatients)
- Rheumatology and Stroke Clinic Outpatients is/are located in Area R.
- Access to Rheumatology and Stroke Clinic Outpatients is via the Centre For Elderly Medicine Main Entrance.
- Enter via the Centre For Elderly Medicine Main Entrance, turn right and the Rheumatology and Stroke Clinic Outpatients is located on the left.
- There is step free access to Rheumatology and Stroke Clinic Outpatients.
- Rheumatology and Stroke Clinic Outpatients is approximately 5m from the Centre For Elderly Medicine Main Entrance.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is provided.
Opening Times
- Monday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Tuesday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Wednesday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Thursday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Friday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Entrance (Elderly Medicine - Area R)
- This entrance is located on the north side of the hospital site, off Billing Road.
- The approach to the entrance has a bollard.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
- The doors open by sliding.
- The width of the opening is 151cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The doors have a high visual contrast.
- There is a second single automatic door.
- The second door opens by sliding.
- The width of the opening is 128cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The second door has a high visual contrast.
- The second door is located on the right as you enter. This leads to Rheumatology, Stoke Clinic Outpatients and Elderly Medicine.
There is a similar door to the left as you enter which leads to the Day Case Unit. - There is step-free level access as you enter.
Reception
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Reception
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- The reception point is located to the right as you enter the Centre for Elderly Medicine.
- The reception point is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the Centre for Elderly Medicine 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 not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the counter.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a portable loop.
- The hearing system is available only on request.
- 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.
- There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
- There are seats with armrests on both sides.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is not 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 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 medium.
Inside Access
- There is level access once inside.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system is available only on request.
- The system is a portable loop.
- Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
- Wayfinding signage is available.
- The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate.
- 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.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Consultation Room)
- 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
- 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 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/are adjustable.
- There are no chairs with armrests available.
- Some 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 bright.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Consultation Room 8)
- There is / are 8 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Room 8.
- 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 bright.
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 pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is located to the left past reception.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the Centre for Elderly Medicine Entrance.
- 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 inwards and 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 222cm x 223cm (7ft 3in x 7ft 4in).
- The accessible toilet does 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 both sides.
- The lateral transfer space on the left is 88cm.
- The lateral transfer space on the right is 85cm.
- The lateral transfer space was obstructed at the time of the survey.
- There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not 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 a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 157cm from the floor.
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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 a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The shelf is higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
- There is a mirror.
- Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
- 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 cannot 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 125cm.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 85cm (2ft 9in).
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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 poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s)
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- The shared toilets that were surveyed are located at the end of the corridor past reception.
- The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the Centre For Elderly Medicine Entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
- An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Centre For Elderly Medicine link (new tab) - click here.
