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The University Medical Centre

University of Kent, Giles Lane, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7PB

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include the medical centre reception and GP rooms.

Getting Here (Getting to the University Medical Centre)

  • By Road View
    • The building is in the centre of the Canterbury Campus, which is approximately 1 mile north of Canterbury City Centre.
      The building is in located off Giles Lane which connects with the A290 Whitstable Road.
    • The building's parking is for visitors and staff only.
      Other car parks on campus require University Pink or Blue Parking Permits, Accessible Parking Permit or Blue Badge.
      Please see the University parking webpage for details: https://www.kent.ac.uk/estates/services/transport/index.html
  • By Bus View
    • There are frequent Unibus services linking the University campus with the centre of Canterbury and Canterbury East and West train stations.
      The nearest bus stops are on Giles Lane.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest train station is Canterbury West, to the north of the city centre.
      This is on the line from London to Kent, including Ashford International.
      There is step-free access into the station building.
      There is step-free access to both platforms by lift.
      Staff are available to assist with portable ramps between the platform and the train.
      There are buses linking the city centre with the University campus, with stops about 5 minutes away from the station.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information (University of Kent)

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Tuesday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Wednesday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Thursday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Friday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Building Parking (Medical Centre/ Pharmacy Parking)

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by staff, visitors and Blue Badge holders.
    • The car park is located in front of the main entrance.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • There is/are 2 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 344cm x 467cm (11ft 3in x 15ft 4in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does not have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a dropped kerb by the blue badge bays and entrance which has a steep slope up to pavement level. There is no tactile paving. There is one central bollard at the top of the ramp with a visual identification band shown in photograph 4. The signage says parking is for staff or patients only. The Pharmacy is next door to the doctors.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is not a site/campus car park within approximately 200m.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building leading off the car park.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 137cm (4ft 6in).
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 104cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 115cm (3ft 9in).
  • Comments View
    • The is a slope with a very easy incline before the first entrance door.

Reception

  • The desk is 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are good.
  • The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • There is a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered counter.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a bell to attract attention.
  • The bell is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • Staff are not trained to use the hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested on 02/11/2021.
  • The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
  • There is a touch screen.
  • Comments View
    • There is a touch screen to check in on the lowered section of the counter which controls are 83-90cm high. This is shown in photograph 3.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The system is a fixed loop.
  • The fixed loop is at reception.
  • Staff are not trained to use the hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested on 02/11/2021.
  • The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is a waiting area for appointments by reception.
    • Photograph 3 shows a small testing area in the waiting area to check blood pressure.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Left Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located opposite reception.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main 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 and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 197cm (5ft 7in x 6ft 6in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 92cm 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 101cm (3ft 4in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin and a waste disposal bin.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • 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 contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • 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 sanitary and general waste (with lid) disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is not a mirror.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • 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 58cm (1ft 11in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is good.
    • 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 72cm (2ft 4in).
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left hand side of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • 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 99cm.
    • 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).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 95cm.
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is fair.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a flip down baby change table available.
    • The height of the baby change table is 85cm.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located opposite reception.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m from the main reception.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 80cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • At time of survey, these were currently staff only (November 2021). Patients can use the accessible toilet next to the standard toilets.