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West Bergholt Ward

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

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Access Guide

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Parking (Front Accessible Parking)

  • 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.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Getting To (West Bergholt Ward)

  • The West Bergholt Ward is/are located on the first floor of the Gainsborough Wing.
  • Access to the West Bergholt Ward is via the Main Hospital entrance.
  • Enter via the Gainsborough Wing entrance and follow the signage to the lifts. On exiting the lift, turn right and go through both sets of double doors at either end of the corridor. Head past the PALS entrance and go through the third set of double doors. Turn right and follow this corridor down and go through the double doors ahead. Continue heading down this corridor. The West Bergholt Ward will be located to the left.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to the West Bergholt Ward.
  • The West Bergholt Ward is approximately 46m from the main hospital block lifts.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the Main Hospital entrance and the department/service.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Dementia friendly signage is 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.

Lift (Main Block Lifts A)

  • The lift surveyed is located along the corridor at the rear of the main hospital entrance foyer.
  • The distance from the main hospital entrance is 35m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • 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 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 128cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 149cm (width) x 265cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have 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, a hearing assistance alarm system and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Reception (West Bergholt Ward)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located along the wards main corridor.
    • The reception point is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the West Bergholt Ward entrance.
    • Clear signage for the reception area/desk is 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 not a hearing assistance 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.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.

Ward (West Bergholt Ward)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an oncology ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 5 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 8 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 28 bed(s) on this ward in total.
  • 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 170cm (5ft 6in) .
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 130cm (4ft 3in) .
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 124cm (4ft 0in) .
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 120cm (3ft 11in) .
    • 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 some 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.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the ward reception desk is 100cm.
    • There is not a lowered section.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • 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 a clear turning space in the relatives' room.
    • There is a/are chair(s) with armrests available within the relatives' room.
  • Example Side Room View
    • There are multiple side rooms available with accessible ensuites.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • A hearing assistance system is not 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.
  • Visitor Facilities View
    • There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located on the first floor of the main hospital block, outside Senses Restaurant.
    • There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located on the first floor of the main hospital block, outside Senses Restaurant.
  • Visiting Times View
    • There are set visiting times for the ward.
    • Visiting times are 11:00 to 22:00.
    • The visiting times are the same for each day.
    • Protected meal times are between 12:15 to 13:00 and 17:15 to 18:00.
    • All side rooms were occupied at the time of the survey (September 2018).

Day Room / Lounge Area (West Bergholt Ward)

  • There is a day room/lounge area.
  • The day room/lounge area is approximately 30m from the West Bergholt Ward entrance.
  • 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 with a locked extension leaf.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is a space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There are seats with armrests on both sides.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some tables are permanently fixed.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 39cm (1ft 3in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 66cm (2ft 2in).
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • There is a television.
  • Subtitles are available.
  • There is 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.

Related Access Guides (Colchester General Hospital)