Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Education Centre

Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Hinchingbrooke Park, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 6NT

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Getting To The Hospital

Getting Help and Assistance

  • There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
  • The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located at the rear of the entrance foyer.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 01480 428 964.
  • The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is [email protected].
  • There are volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
  • Volunteers can be found at the reception desk.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: large print on request and different languages on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available on request.
  • BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • A mobility scooter charging point is not available at the hospital.
  • Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs, mobile hoists and adjustable beds.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact reception.
  • Additional hospital services link (new tab) - click here.

Hospital Parking (The Orchard)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located in front of the Education Centre.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 350cm x 500cm (11ft 6in x 16ft 5in).
    • There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located in front of The Orchard entrance.
    • There is not a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
  • Paying View
    • There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • 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 hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the The Orchard Entrance.

Hospital Parking (Car Park 3)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located to the right hand side of the main building, in front of the Children's Unit and Woodlands.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does have a barrier control system.
    • The barrier controls/touchscreen can be reached from the car.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 6 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 368cm x 470cm (12ft 1in x 15ft 5in).
    • There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located at the entrance to the car park, throughout the car park and at the payment machines in the hospital building.
    • Payment signs do not make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Free parking for Blue Badge holders is for 1 hour only.
    • Payment machines are located inside the hospital building and close to the Blue Badge parking bays.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
    • To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 13m (14yd 8in) from the Children's Unit main entrance.

Getting To (Education Centre)

  • Education Centre is/are located in the Orchard Area.
  • Access to Education Centre is via the Orchard entrance.
  • Enter via the Orchard entrance and proceed ahead, the Education Centre is located to the rear of the Orchard Area.
  • There is step free access to Education Centre.
  • Education Centre is approximately 16m from the Orchard Area.
  • There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the Orchard entrance and the department/service.
  • There are not 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.

Entrance (Education Centre Ground Floor)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor of The Orchard area.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • 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 118cm (3ft 10in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 160cm.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located on the left as you enter on the ground floor.
    • The reception point is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the Education Centre 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 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 high (110cm+) .
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of 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 not trained to use the hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
    • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not 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 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.

Inside Access

  • There is level access once inside.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
  • Wayfinding signage is not available.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located on the Ground Floor next to the Education Centre.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the The Orchard 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 Ground and First Floor.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not 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 colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is good.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 130cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 176cm x 274cm.
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does not 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 assistance system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Entrance (Education Centre First Floor)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the first floor of The Orchard area of the main hospital building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance, via lift.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 170cm.

Library (Staff Only)

  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in Braille.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in large print.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in audio format.
  • There is an ordering service.
  • It takes approximately 7 days to process an order.
  • The library does not have computers with accessible software.
  • Auxiliary aids are available for computer users.
  • A height adjustable table is / are available.
  • Comments View
    • This library is for use by NHS staff and there is no public access.
    • There is an interlibrary loan service.
    • Auxiliary aids may be available from the IT department.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Ground Floor)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the left as you pass the reception.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 15m from the Education Centre Ground Floor 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 contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is fair.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 175cm x 144cm.
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to 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 110cm.
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary 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 contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • 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 good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency 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 sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • 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 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • 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 107cm (3ft 6in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is poor.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • 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.
    • 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 127cm (4ft 2in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is good.
    • There is not a hand dryer.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the left after you pass reception.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 21m (22yd 2ft) from the Education Centre Ground Floor entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
    • Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.

Related Access Guides