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Drummond Education Centre

West Suffolk Hospital, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmonds, IP33 2QZ

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Access Guide

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Overview (Drummond Education Centre)

  • About View
    • This is an education centre with several services available.
    • Services available in the venue include: a Library and Information Centre, training rooms and lecture rooms.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via ramp at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
    • The ground and first floor can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is no hearing assistance system.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: audio.
    • There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: phone charging points and Wi-Fi.

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Drummond Education Centre)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located along the corridor on both the ground floor and first floor of the Drummond Education Centre.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located along the corridor on both the ground floor and first floor of the Drummond Education Centre.

Hospital Parking (Car Park D - Patients/Visitors)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located at the rear right side of the hospital.
    • 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 and block paving.
    • There is not a/are not Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
  • 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 payment machines in the car park and throughout the car park.
    • Payment machines are located at the side of the car park.
    • There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is not 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 with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
    • The hospital entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the hospital entrance is not clearly signposted.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 100m (328ft) from the rear hospital entrance.
    • There are 5 electric vehicle charging bays available.

Hospital Parking (Rear Hospital Entrance Blue Badge Bays)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the hospital.
    • 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 and signposted.
    • There is/are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 230cm x 481cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 9in).
    • There is 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
  • 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 dropped kerbs.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the rear hospital entrance.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on the left side at the front of the centre.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient with resting areas.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • There is a bell at a height of 88cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door has a locked extension leaf.
  • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 95cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 93cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • This entrance brings you into the first floor of the Drummond Education Centre.

Seating Area (Visitors Waiting Area)

  • Location and Access View
    • The visitors waiting area is located to the left as you enter the centre.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Getting Around (Drummond Education Centre)

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: There is a very easy slope along the rear corridor on the ground floor of the centre.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Lift (Drummond Education Centre Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead as you enter the Drummond Education Centre.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 6m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground and first floor are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 102cm (width) x 136cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Drummond Education Centre Stairs)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right as you enter the Drummond Education Centre.
  • The ground and first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Entrance (Library and Information Centre Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on the right side of the first floor of the centre.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 175cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.

Reception (Library and Information Centre Reception)

  • The reception is located to the left as you enter the Library and Information Centre.
  • The distance from the Library and Information Centre entrance is 3m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has automatic doors.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 96cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 75cm.
  • The reception has windows.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Library (Library and Information Centre)

  • There is step-free level access throughout the library.
  • Access throughout the library may include narrow walkways and narrow openings.
  • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the library includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables, coffee tables and desks.
  • The desks are fixed.
  • Some surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of some surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: ebook and ejournal.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: headsets.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located at the end of the corridor that is at the rear of the centre.
    • The distance from the Drummond Education Centre lift is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 142cm (width) x 192cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 75cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 118cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 106cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a clinical waste bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.