You are on Getting Here (Axminster Hospital). Skip to the next section.

Getting Here (Axminster Hospital)

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• By Road View
  • Axminster Hospital is located on Chard Road.
    The hospital can be accessed via the A35 to the south.
    Take the exit onto the A358 and proceed along the A358, then take the third exit at the roundabout onto West Street.
    Continue along West Street, onto Chard Street and Chard Road, then Axminster Hospital will be located on the left.
    For sat nav location enter EX13 5DU.
  • Patient and visitor car parking is available within the open air/surface car park, which is located on the right side of the hospital grounds.
    There are no clearly marked Blue Badge bays located within the open air/surface car park, however there are several marked Blue Badge bays located in front of the main entrance.
• By Bus View
  • The nearest available bus stop is located along Chard Road and is directly in front of Axminster Hospital.
    The services provided at this bus stop include the 30, 44A and 885.
• By Train View
  • The nearest train station is Axminster.
    The station is located along Station Yard and is 0.5 miles from the hospital (approximately a 11 minute walk).
• Useful Links View
  • For information on bus providers please use the link below.
  • To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
  • For information on an alternate bus provider please use the link below.
  • To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
  • For information on train providers at Axminster train station please use the link below.
  • To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
  • For information on Axminster train station please use the link below.
  • To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).

You are on Getting Help and Assistance (Axminster Hospital). Skip to the next section.

Getting Help and Assistance (Axminster Hospital)

• A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
• British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
• Language interpreters can be provided on request.
• There is a wheelchair to borrow to use around the building .
• Water bowls for assistance dogs are not available.
• There is not a/are not hearing assistance system(s) available.
• Home visits services are available.

You are on Parking (Axminster Hospital). Skip to the next section.

Parking (Axminster Hospital)

• The venue does have its own car park.

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• Venue Car Park View
  • Parking is free for all users.
  • The car park is located to the right of the main hospital building.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • There is/are 4 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 230cm x 470cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 5in).
  • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • 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 uneven surfaces.
  • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
  • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
  • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
• On Street Parking and Drop-off Details View
  • There is not a designated drop off point.

You are on Getting To (Outpatients). Skip to the next section.

Getting To (Outpatients)

• Outpatients is/are located on the lower ground floor of the hospital.
• Access to Outpatients is via the main entrance.
• Enter via the main hospital entrance and proceed straight ahead past the reception desk.
  The lift is on the left.
  Take the lift to the lower ground floor.
  Exit the lift and the entrance to Outpatients is to the right.
• There is step free access, via lift, to Outpatients.
• Outpatients is approximately 3m from the lift.
• There are resting areas along the route.
• 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.
• There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.

You are on Outside Access (Main Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

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• Entrance Details View
  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
  • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
  • There is not 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 bell/buzzer.
  • The height of the bell/buzzer is 116cm (3ft 10in).
  • There is not an intercom.
  • There is not a hand sanitiser.
  • There is a door release button when exiting.
  • The height of the door release button is 102cm (3ft 4in).
  • Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 124cm.
  • 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 door(s) is/are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 117cm.
• Ramp/Slope Details View
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not 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 the left going up the ramp.
  • The width of the ramp is 145cm.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
• Step Details View
  • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
  • There is/are 5 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up the step(s).
• Comments View
  • The handrail for the slope changes from the left to the right side halfway.
  • After the steps there is a slight slope before the entrance.

You are on Reception (Main Reception). Skip to the next section.

Reception (Main Reception)

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• Reception View
  • The reception point is located to the left from the main entrance .
  • The reception point is approximately 2m (5.08cm) from the main 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 moderate to good.
  • The height of the reception counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
  • The counter is staffed.
  • There is a bell to attract attention.
  • The bell is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is a touch screen.
  • 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.
• 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 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 not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
  • There is not a television.
  • Vending machines are 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 moderate to good.

You are on Lift (Main Reception Area to X-Ray and Outpatients). Skip to the next section.

Lift (Main Reception Area to X-Ray and Outpatients)

• There is a lift for public use.
• The lift is located ahead and to the left from the main entrance, to the right of reception.
• Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
• The lift is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main 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 LG and G.
• 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 visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
• The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
• The clear door width is 129cm (4ft 3in).
• The dimensions of the lift are 137cm x 244cm (4ft 6in x 8ft).
• There are separate entry and exit doors in 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 not a hearing loop system.
• The lift does not have Braille markings.
• The lift does have tactile markings.
• The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.

You are on Other Floors (Main Reception Area to X-Ray and Outpatients). Skip to the next section.

Other Floors (Main Reception Area to X-Ray and Outpatients)

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• Stairs View
  • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG and G.
  • There are 6 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 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 provided on landings.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

You are on Opening Times (Outpatients). Skip to the next section.

Opening Times (Outpatients)

• Access is by appointment only.

You are on Department / Service (Outpatients). Skip to the next section.

Department / Service (Outpatients)

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• Department / Service Access View
  • Outpatients is located on the lower ground floor of the hospital.
  • There is a/are door(s) leading into the department/service.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
  • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • 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 not a door release button when exiting.
  • There is level access throughout the department/service.
  • There is clear signage on the department/service.
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is some flooring in the department/service which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • The department/service does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
• Department / Service Facilities View
  • This department/service has; a waiting room/area, consultation rooms, treatment rooms and accessible toilet facilities for everyone.
  • There are 11 consultation/treatment rooms in this department/service.
  • A hearing assistance system is not available in the department/service.
  • A mobile hoist is available from another department/service.
  • There are accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
  • There are not standard toilet facilities within this department/service.

You are on Waiting Room / Area (Outpatients and Day Surgery Waiting Area). Skip to the next section.

Waiting Room / Area (Outpatients and Day Surgery Waiting Area)

• There is a waiting room / area.
• The waiting room / area is approximately 15m from the Outpatients entrance.
• There is level access into the waiting room / area.
• There is not a/are not door(s) into the waiting room / area.
• The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
• There is not a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
• No chairs are permanently fixed.
• All chairs have armrests.
• Announcements are in person.
• The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
• There is not a red 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 moderate to good.

You are on Consultation / Treatment Room (Outpatients - Consulting Room 1). Skip to the next section.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Outpatients - Consulting Room 1)

• There is / are 3 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
• The name / number of the room surveyed was; Consulting Room 1.
• 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 double width but one door is locked.
• The door(s) is/are light.
• The width of the door opening is 71cm (2ft 4in).
• The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
• There is 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 height adjustable.
• All chairs have armrests available.
• All tables are permanently fixed.
• There is not a hearing assistance system.
• The room does not have background music playing.
• There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
• Lighting levels are good.

You are on Consultation / Treatment Room (Outpatients - Clinic Room 5). Skip to the next section.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Outpatients - Clinic Room 5)

• There is / are 3 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
• The name / number of the room surveyed was; Clinic Room 5.
• 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 86cm (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.
• There is a chair.
• No chairs are permanently fixed.
• The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
• All chairs have armrests available.
• Some tables are permanently fixed.
• There is not a hearing assistance system.
• The room does not have background music playing.
• There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
• Lighting levels are good.

You are on Consultation / Treatment Room (Day Surgery Recovery Room). Skip to the next section.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Day Surgery Recovery Room)

• There is / are 2 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
• The name / number of the room surveyed was; Day Surgery Recovery Room - Ward 1.
• 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 with a locked extension leaf.
• The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
• 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.
• There is a chair.
• No chairs are permanently fixed.
• The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
• All chairs have armrests available.
• No tables are permanently fixed.
• There is not a hearing assistance system.
• 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.

You are on Washroom (Day Surgery Recovery Area - Shower). Skip to the next section.

Washroom (Day Surgery Recovery Area - Shower)

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• Washroom Details View
  • The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
  • There is/are 1 washroom(s) of this type in the department.
  • The washroom surveyed is located along the department corridor, by the day surgery recovery rooms.
  • The washroom surveyed is approximately 40m from the Outpatients entrance.
  • There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the department.
  • This washroom is shared.
  • There is pictorial and 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 locking handle.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 89cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the washroom are 254cm x 206cm (8ft 4in x 6ft 9in).
  • 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 red flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
  • There is a/are coat hook(s) 173cm 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 can be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The height of the wash basin is 80cm.
  • As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
  • The tap type is twist/turn. It is a mixer tap.
  • There is a soap dispenser.
  • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The height of the soap dispenser is 118cm.
  • There is a towel dispenser.
  • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The height of the towel dispenser is 153cm.
  • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Disposal facilities are available.
  • There is a/are general waste (with lid) and clinical waste disposal units.
  • The washroom has a non-slip floor.
• Toilet Details View
  • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (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 165cm.
  • There is a flush on the transfer side.
  • There are dropdown rails on both sides of 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 84cm.
  • There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
  • There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
• Shower Details View
  • There is a wheel in shower.
  • The shower does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • The shower head is height adjustable.
  • The shower control type is twist/turn.
  • There is no seat for the shower.
  • There are wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
• Colour Contrast and Lighting View
  • The visual 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 medium.
  • The toilet seat visual contrast is low.
  • The visual contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is low.
  • The visual contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
  • Lighting levels are good.

You are on Toilet with Adaptations (Outpatients and Day Surgery Waiting Area - Left Hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Toilet with Adaptations (Outpatients and Day Surgery Waiting Area - Left Hand Transfer)

• There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.

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• Location and Access View
  • This accessible toilet is located along the Outpatients department corridor into the Waiting Area, then to the left.
  • This accessible toilet is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the Outpatients 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 signage on or near the toilet door.
  • The visual contrast between the external door and wall is high.
  • The door opens outwards.
  • The door is light.
  • The door is locked by a locking handle.
  • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • The visual contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
  • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
• Toilet Features View
  • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 154cm x 190cm (5ft 1in x 6ft 3in).
  • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 105cm from floor level.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • 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 transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
  • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
  • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
  • There is a lever flush.
  • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
  • The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is medium.
  • 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 visual contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) to the left of the toilet and wall is medium.
  • The visual contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) to the right of the toilet and wall is low.
  • The visual contrast between the walls and floor is high.
  • There is an emergency alarm.
  • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
  • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
  • There is a/are general waste (with lid) and clinical waste disposal units.
  • There is a/are coat hook(s).
  • The height of the coat hook is 174cm from the floor.
• Additional Fixtures View
  • There is a mirror.
  • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
  • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
  • The toilet has a backrest.
  • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
  • The toilet seat visual contrast is low.
  • 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).
  • The height of the toilet roll holder is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • The visual contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is low.
  • 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 68cm (2ft 3in).
  • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
  • The visual contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is low.
  • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
  • 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 98cm.
  • There is a towel dispenser.
  • The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • The height of the towel dispenser is 137cm (4ft 6in).
  • The visual contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is medium.
  • There is not a hand dryer.

You are on Related Access Guides. Skip to the next section.

Related Access Guides

• To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
• Axminster Hospital - Main Building link (new tab) - click here.