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 (Spencer Ward)
- Spencer Ward is/are located in Area S.
- Access to Spencer Ward 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 Spencer Ward is located along the corridor and on the left.
- There is step free access to Spencer Ward.
- Spencer Ward is approximately 100m 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.
Ward
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Ward Information
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- This is a/an gynaecology ward.
- This is a female ward.
- There is/are 3 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 2 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 24 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) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 141cm (4ft 8in).
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 130cm (4ft 3in).
- There is a door release button when exiting.
- The height of the door release button is 105cm (3ft 5in).
- 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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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 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 off the Billing Road Entrance ramp.
- There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located off the Billing Road Entrance ramp.
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Visiting Times
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- 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.
Washroom (Ward Toilet and Shower)
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Washroom Details
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- The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- There is/are 2 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This washroom is female.
- There is written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
- The washroom door(s) open(s) outwards.
- The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
- The door(s) is/are light to open.
- The width of the door opening is 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 154cm x 220cm (5ft 1in x 7ft 3in).
- The washroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is within reach and fully functional.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is a/are coat hook(s) 167cm 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 86cm.
- As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
- The tap type is lever. It is 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 117cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 134cm.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
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Toilet Details
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- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 41cm (1ft 4in).
- The toilet has a lid obstructing the back rest/cistern/wall.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 156cm.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is no dropdown rail for 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 41cm.
- There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
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Shower Details
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- 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 wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
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Bath Details
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- There is not a bath.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- 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 toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- The visual contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is high.
- The visual contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Washroom (Bay Toilet and Shower)
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Washroom Details
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- The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- There is/are 2 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This washroom is female.
- There is no additional signage on or near the washroom door.
- The washroom door(s) open(s) outwards.
- 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 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 260cm x 212cm (8ft 6in x 6ft 11in).
- The washroom does not 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 a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is not a coat hook in the washroom.
- There is a mirror.
- There is a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the wash basin is 72cm.
- As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- The tap type is lever. It is 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 90cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 90cm.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
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Toilet Details
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- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 49cm (1ft 7in).
- 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 right.
- The lateral transfer space is 188cm.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- 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 82cm.
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Shower Details
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- The height of the shower head is 193cm (6ft 4in).
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Toilet Details
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- There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
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Shower Details
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- There is a wheel in shower.
- The shower head height is fixed.
- The shower control type is lever.
- There is a flip-down/tip-up seat for the shower.
- The height of the flip-down/tip-up or fixed seat is 52cm (1ft 8in).
- There are wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- 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 toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- The visual contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails 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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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female Toilet(s)
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- The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located in the ward bay.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
- An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is available.
- Lighting levels are bright.
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 - Urogynaecology link (new tab) - click here.
