Access Guide
Parking (Front Accessible Parking)
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Car Park
View
- The car park is located on the left side of the front of the hospital grounds.
- The car park is open air/surface.
- The car park surface consists of block paving.
- There are 10 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
- The Blue Badge bays have faded markings.
- The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 232cm (width) x 490cm (depth).
- There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
- The width of the marked zone is 129cm.
- The nearest designated bay is 125m from the main hospital entrance.
- 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.
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Charges and Restrictions
View
- This car park is for Blue Badge holders only.
- Parking is free for all users.
- Clearly presented parking signs are available.
- View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
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Drop-off Point
View
- There is not a designated drop-off point available.
Getting To (Medical Day Unit)
- The Medical Day Unit is/are located on the ground floor, along the main hospital block corridor.
- Access to the Medical Day Unit is via the Main Hospital entrance.
- Enter via the Main Hospital entrance. Walk forward, passing the main hospital reception and go through the double doors. Continue down the corridor and go through another set of double doors. Go down the corridor, walking past the lifts to your right and go through the double doors. Go forward through the corridor and go through another set of double doors. Continue going forward and go through the double doors ahead at the end of the corridor and follow the corridor to the right. Go forward and go through the first set of double doors you come across. The Medical Day Unit will be located on the left.
- There is step free access to the Medical Day Unit.
- The Medical Day Unit is approximately 63m from the Main Hospital entrance.
- There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the Main Hospital entrance and the department/service.
- 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.
- There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
Entrance (Main Hospital Entrance)
- This entrance is located at the front of the hospital building.
- 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 a very easy slope at the entrance.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 118cm.
- There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
- The doors open by sliding.
- The width of the opening is 178cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The doors have a medium visual contrast.
- There is a second set of double automatic doors.
- The second set of doors open by sliding.
- The width of the opening is 165cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The second set of doors have a medium visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
- This entrance brings you into the ground floor of the Main Block.
Day Room / Lounge Area (Quiet Room)
- There is a day room/lounge area.
- There is level access into the day room/lounge area.
- The day room/lounge area is always open.
- There is a/are door(s) into the day room/lounge area.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are light.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The type of flooring is carpet.
- There is not a space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There are seats with armrests on both sides.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The distance between the floor and the highest table is 49cm (1ft 7in).
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- There is not a television.
- 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 medium.
Reception (Medical Day Unit)
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Reception
View
- The reception point is located along the wards main corridor.
- The reception point is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the Medical Day Unit entrance.
- Clear signage for the reception area/desk is not 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 no 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 good.
- The height of the reception counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm) .
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- 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 trained to use the hearing system.
- 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.
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Reception Waiting Area
View
- There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.
Waiting Room / Area (Medical Day Unit)
- There is a waiting room / area.
- The waiting room / area is approximately 17m from the Medical Day Unit entrance.
- There is level access into the waiting room / area.
- There is not a/are not door(s) into the waiting room / area.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
- Some chairs are permanently fixed.
- Chairs with armrests are not available.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Announcements are in person.
- The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
- There is a television.
- Subtitles are available.
- 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 bright.
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Comments
View
- There is a water jug with cups available in the waiting area.
Ward (Medical Day Unit)
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Ward Information
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- This is a/an medical day ward.
- This is a shared ward.
- There is/are 3 bay(s) available.
- There is/are 2 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 22 bed(s) on this ward in total.
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Ward Access
View
- There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The automatic door(s) is/are push pad activated.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 164cm (5ft 5in).
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 134cm (4ft 5in).
- There is a door release button when exiting.
- The height of the door release button is 118cm (3ft 10in).
- There is level access throughout the ward.
- There is clear signage on the ward.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is some flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is flooring on the ward which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- The lighting levels are varied.
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Reception/Nurses' Station
View
- The height of the ward reception desk is 100cm.
- There is not a lowered section.
- There is a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
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Relatives' Room
View
- There is a relatives' room for the ward.
- The width of the door opening into the relatives' room is over 75cm.
- There is not a clear turning space in the relatives' room.
- There is a/are chair(s) with armrests available within the relatives' room.
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Example Side Room
View
- There are no side rooms available with an accessible ensuite.
- The side room surveyed does not have an accessible ensuite.
- The width of the door opening into the side room is over 75cm.
- The side room surveyed does not have a ceiling track hoist.
- There is sufficient space next to the bed for a mobile hoist to operate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
- Bedside storage is not available.
- The visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is medium.
- The lighting levels in the side room are low.
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Ward Features and Patient Facilities
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- A hearing assistance system is available on the ward.
- The ward does not play background music.
- There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
- A mobile hoist is available on the ward.
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Visitor Facilities
View
- There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located on the ground floor, along the main hospital blocks main corridor.
- There are standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
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Visiting Times
View
- Visiting times are 24/7.
- The visiting times are the same for each day.
Washroom
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Washroom Details
View
- The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- There is/are 1 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
- The washroom surveyed is located along the wards main corridor.
- The washroom surveyed is approximately 7m from the Medical Day Unit entrance.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This washroom is interchangeable between male and female.
- There is pictorial and written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
- The washroom door(s) open(s) inwards.
- The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
- The door(s) is/are light to open.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 315cm x 325cm (10ft 4in x 10ft 8in).
- The washroom does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is within reach and fully functional.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is not a coat hook in the washroom.
- There is not a mirror.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the wash basin is 80cm.
- There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the wash basin.
- The tap type is lever. It is a mixer tap.
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 131cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 140cm.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
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Toilet Details
View
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 5in).
- The toilet has a wall which can act as a back rest.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 215cm.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 90cm.
- There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
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Shower Details
View
- There is a wheel in shower.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The shower control type is twist/turn.
- A shower chair is available.
- There are not wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
View
- The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is low.
- The visual contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is low.
- The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is low.
- The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall is high.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- The visual contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
View
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female Toilet(s)
View
- The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located along the wards main corridor.
- The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 17m (18yd 1ft) from the Medical Day Unit entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
- An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is available.
- Lighting levels are medium.
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Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
View
- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located along the wards main corridor.
- The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Medical Day Unit entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
- An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is available.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Related Access Guides (Colchester General Hospital)
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Parking at Colchester General Hospital link (new tab) - click here.
- Entrances at Colchester General Hospital link (new tab) - click here.
- Toilets at Colchester General Hospital link (new tab) - click here.
- Getting To and Around at Colchester General Hospital link (new tab) - click here.
