Access Guide
Getting Here (Bishop's Castle Community Hospital)
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By Road
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- Bishop's Castle Community Hospital is located on Union Street.
The hospital can be accessed via the A488 from the north and south by taking the B4384, Schoolhouse Lane at the Lovell Lane Crossroads, and continuing along this road on to Bull Lane.
Turn left onto Bull Street, then follow Bull Street until it becomes Union Street. The hospital is on the right.
From the west, approach is via the B4385.
On entering Bishops Castle, continue ahead and the turn into Bull Street is on the right.
For sat nav location enter SY9 5AJ. - Patient and visitor car parking is available within the open air/surface car park, located at the front of the site.
There are marked Blue Badge bays located within this car park.
- Bishop's Castle Community Hospital is located on Union Street.
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By Bus
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- The nearest available bus stop is located on Church Street and is approximately 350m from the Hospital.
The services provided at this bus stop include the 553 and the 745.
- The nearest available bus stop is located on Church Street and is approximately 350m from the Hospital.
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By Train
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- The nearest station is Craven Arms, located approximately 10 miles away.
Getting Help and Assistance (Bishop's Castle Community Hospital)
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
- The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; large print.
- There is a wheelchair to borrow to use around the building.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are not available.
- There is a/are hearing assistance system(s) available.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
- The hearing assistance system was tested on 24/03/2025.
- The hearing loop was working at the time of testing.
- Home visits services are not available.
Parking (Bishop's Castle Community Hospital)
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is free for all users.
- The car park is located in front of the hospital.
- 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 2 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 230cm x 465cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 3in).
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 13m (14yd 8in) from the Bishop's Castle Community Hospital entrance.
- The furthest Blue Badge bay is 20m (21yd 2ft) from the Bishop's Castle Community Hospital 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 slopes/ramps.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
- The dropped kerb does 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.
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Public Car Parks
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- There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
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On Street Parking and Drop-off Details
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- On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
- Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are not available.
- There is not a designated drop off point.
Outside Access (Bishop's Castle Community Hospital)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the hospital.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped 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 a bell/buzzer.
- The height of the bell/buzzer is 135cm (4ft 5in).
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 135cm (4ft 5in).
- 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 107cm.
- 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 108cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope Details
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- The ramp/slope is located to the left of the main entrance.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- 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 going up the ramp.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
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Step Details
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the main entrance.
- There is/are 2 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are 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).
Reception (Bishop's Castle Community Hospital)
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Reception
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- The reception point is located ahead from the Bishop's Castle Community Hospital entrance.
- The reception point is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the Bishop's Castle Community Hospital 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 low (76cm or lower).
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on 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 fixed loop.
- The hearing assistance system is 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 24/03/2025.
- 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 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.
- The seats do not have 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 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 moderate to good.
Getting Around (Bishop's Castle Community Hospital)
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Access
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- There is step free access throughout the building.
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Circulation
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- There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
- The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl.
- Handrails are not provided in corridors.
- Seating is not provided in corridors.
- There is high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all corridors.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Signage and Wayfinding
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- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
- The wayfinding signage does not include pictograms.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
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Safe Place(s)
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- There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
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Audio
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- This venue does not play background music in public areas.
Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer - Male)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located in the main hospital corridor.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the Bishop's Castle Community Hospital entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a male toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is tactile, pictorial, written text and dementia friendly 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 heavy.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The visual contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 140cm x 245cm (4ft 7in x 8ft).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The height of the light switch/pull cord is 123cm 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 right.
- The lateral transfer space is 76cm (2ft 6in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
- There is a flush 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 low.
- 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) and wall is high.
- The visual contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are nappy/incontinence items bin and general waste (with lid) disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- There are coat hooks in the toilet at 108cm and 147cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- 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 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat visual contrast is high.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 105cm (3ft 5in).
- The visual contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
- 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 69cm (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 high.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 98cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 120cm (3ft 11in).
- The visual contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is medium.
- There is not a hand dryer.
Toilet with Adaptations (Transfer Both Sides - Female)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located in the main hospital corridor.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the Bishop's Castle Community Hospital entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a female toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is tactile, pictorial, written text and dementia friendly 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 heavy.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The visual contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 190cm x 245cm (6ft 3in x 8ft).
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The height of the light switch/pull cord is 123cm 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 both sides.
- The lateral transfer space on the left is 84cm.
- The lateral transfer space on the right is 82cm.
- The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a lever flush.
- There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
- The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- 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.
- The visual contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) 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 female sanitary and general waste (with lid) disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- There are coat hooks in the toilet at 110cm and 148cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- 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 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat visual contrast is high.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder is on the dropdown rail.
- 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 55cm (1ft 10in).
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) cannot 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 73cm (2ft 5in).
- 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 high.
- 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 96cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 125cm (4ft 1in).
- The visual contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is high.
- There is not a hand dryer.
