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Elmstead Day Unit

Colchester General Hospital, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JL

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Elmstead Day Unit)

Parking (Elmstead and Dame Clare Marx Building Accessible Parking and Drop-Off Point)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on the left side of the hospital grounds.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac and block paving.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 468cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 127cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 25m from Elmstead Entrance 1.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has steep ramps or slopes, uneven surfaces and a pedestrian crossing.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located on the left side of the hospital grounds.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the drop-off point.

Entrance (Elmstead Entrance 1)

  • This entrance is located on the left side of the hospital building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 158cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 116cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • This entrance brings you into the ground floor of the Elmstead Block.

Department / Service (Elmstead Day Unit)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Elmstead Day Unit is located on the ground floor of the Elmstead Unit.
    • View information on opening times.
    • There is no signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There is a buzzer at a height of 131cm.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 102cm.
    • There are double automatic doors with a high visual contrast.
    • The doors open towards you.
    • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 98cm.
    • The width of the opening is 176cm.
    • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 97cm.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • There are 3 consultation/medical rooms available.
    • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
    • The hoist is mobile.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: toilets with adaptations.

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Elmstead Day Unit)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 4 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located in reception, in each of the bays, and in the clinical area corridor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the toilet with adaptations in the reception area.

Reception (Elmstead Day Unit)

  • The reception is located to the left as you enter the Elmstead Day Unit.
  • The distance from the Elmstead Day Unit entrance is 3m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 120cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 74cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.
  • Some seating is fixed.

Consultation / Medical Room (Ward)

  • There are 3 consultation/medical rooms available.
  • The room surveyed was; Ward A.
  • The room is located to the right from the clinical area entrance.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • The height of the hand sanitiser is 143cm.
  • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
  • The doors open both ways.
  • The width of the opening is 148cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: height adjustable tables.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Reception - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the reception area, straight ahead from the Elmstead Day Unit entrance.
    • The distance from the Elmstead Day Unit entrance is 5m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • 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 220cm (width) x 254cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 140cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever 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 47cm 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 82cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 71cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 94cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 132cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin, a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 134cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 83cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Clinical Area - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located along the clinical area corridor, to the left of the entrance to Ward B.
    • The distance from the Elmstead Day Unit entrance is 25m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a 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 204cm (width) x 280cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 75cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush on the transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 47cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high 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 77cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 77cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have 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 131cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 107cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin, a pedal bin and a clinical waste bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Exit (Elmstead Day Unit)

  • The exit area is not clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the exit.
  • There are double automatic doors at this exit.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 144cm.
  • The width of the opening is 160cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.