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5 Heather Close

5 Heather Close, Hither Green, London, SE13 6UG

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Comments View
    • 5 Heather Close is part of a group of residential buildings with 1 and 3 Heather Close managed by the Complex Rehabilitation Service.
    • The centre provides 24-hour, rehabilitation, nursing care and accommodation, for up to 34 adults with long-term mental illness and challenging behaviour. .
    • It provides care for people who live in the London Borough of Lewisham.
    • The main visitor reception for all the buildings is based in 5 Heather Close.
    • Residents from other blocks may also visit this building to use the club room or for consultations. .
    • The car park is shared by all the buildings.

Location

  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Hither Green.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Parking is free for all users.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • There is/are 0 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • 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 block paving.
  • The patron does not have to cross a road.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • There is not a dropped kerb immediately in front of the building.
    • The nearest parking bay is 4m from the entrance to 5 Heather Close but the step-free route is 40m.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located facing the car park.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The intercom is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is / are single.
  • The door(s) is / are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 81cm (2ft 8in).

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.

Reception

  • The desk is 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to reception from the entrance.
  • The reception desk is high (110cm+).
  • The desk has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The desk is generally staffed.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is not a bell to attract attention.
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the desk.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • Route finding signage is available.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl.
  • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Comments View
    • The ensuite rooms and dining rooms are in separate male and female wings.
    • There is a shared club room.
    • There is level access from the dining areas to the secure garden.
    • There is a room for meetings with visitors to the left of the reception desk in the foyer.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G,1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are medium.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located towards the rear of the building, in the male wing.
  • The lift is 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1.
  • The clear door width is 73cm (2ft 5in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 114cm (3ft 7in x 3ft 9in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.
  • Comments View
    • Male residents are able to use the lift unaccompanied.
    • Because the lift is in the male wing, female residents would be accompanied if they needed to use the lift to visit one of the medical rooms.
    • This would not be convenient for frequent use.
    • Female residents unable to use the stairs would be accommodated on the ground floor.

Accommodation

  • Location of Accessible Accommodation View
    • The establishment provides 4 accessible accommodation facilities with an ensuite and/or separate accessible bathroom.
    • The accessible facilities are located one on the ground and first floors of both the male and female wings.
    • There is level access from an accessible entrance.
    • This is by lift.
    • Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with residents in accessible accommodation.
  • Auxiliary Aids - General View
    • None of the rooms have auxiliary aids for people with sensory impairments.
    • The accommodation does provide other auxiliary aids for people with mobility impairments.
    • Other auxiliary aids available are shower chairs, toilet frames.
    • Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with residents in standard rooms.
    • There is / are 4 accessible room(s) with a wheel in shower.
  • Ground Floor Rooms View
    • Ground floor rooms do have level access.
    • Adjoining rooms are not available.
  • Standard Rooms on Other Floors View
    • There are standard rooms on other floors.
    • The other floors can be accessed by lift.
    • There is level access to standard rooms on other floors.
    • Adjoining rooms are not available.
  • Comments View
    • There is currently a ground floor room in the male wing where the ensuite wet room has drop-down and fixed grab rails in the toilet area and fixed rails in the shower area.
    • The other rooms with wheel-in showers do not have grab rails fitted.
    • Equipment would be installed to suit the needs of the resident.
    • Standard rooms have baths.

Accessible Toilet (Staff/ Visitors)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • 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 on the first floor, to the left on leaving the lift. The toilet described is the male toilet, on the right.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the lift.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is not a unisex toilet.
    • There are two adjacent accessible toilets which are signed as male and female.
    • 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 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 220cm (5ft 7in x 7ft 3in).
    • 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 the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 96cm (3ft 2in).
    • There is no dropdown rail.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • The tap type is sensor.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the cubicle.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are not available.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is not higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is not a mirror.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 115cm (3ft 9in).
    • 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 115cm.
    • 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).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a low colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Comments View
    • Picture 1 shows the male toilet.
    • Picture 2 shows the female toilet which has the same equipment but laid out with the transfer space to the left.
    • There are push button alarms in these toilets.
    • At the time of our visit (July 2017) these toilets had recently been refitted.
    • There is a support rail ready for the installation of grab rails, but staff were not aware of any plans to install the rails.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • The accessible toilets are used by all staff and visitors.
  • There are standard toilets in the ensuite bathrooms.

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents are available in Braille on request, large print on request and different languages on request.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.
  • Home visits / services are available.
  • Comments View
    • The centre is part of the rehabilitation service.
    • Home visits would be arranged by the community nursing team when residents are ready to move into independent living.