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Maternity Wing - Building Guide

Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Galsworthy Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 7QB

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • By Road View
    • The postcode for SAT-NAV users is KT2 7QB.
      Kingston Hospital is located to the east of the town centre.
      Kingston Hospital can be easily accessed from the A3, via Kingston Hill (A308) or Coombe Lane West.
    • Parking at the hospital is very limited, so where possible, it is recommended that you travel by public transport.
      Car parks 1 to 3 are located at the front of the site, off Galsworthy Road
      There are Blue Badge bays available in all car parks, except Car Park 2.
  • By Bus View
    • Kingston Hospital is served by a number of bus stops, such as Kingston Hospital Forecourt – routes K2 and K4, Galsworthy Road – routes K3, 57, 213 and N213, Coombe Road – routes K2, K3, K4, K5 and Kingston Hill – routes 57, 85, 213, N213.
    • There is an onsite bus stop.
    • The main on-site bus stop is located in front of the Sir William Rous Unit, off of Galsworthy Road.
    • The bus stop is sheltered and has bench seating available. There is limited space for a wheelchair user.
    • The route from the main on-site bus stop to the main entrance is approximately 75 metres.
      The route has slight slopes/ramps on approach and there is a zebra crossing with tactile paving on both sides.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest station to Kingston Hospital is Norbiton, approximately 0.2 miles (4 minute walk) away via Coombe Road or Wolverton Avenue.
      Norbiton Station is served by South Western Railway.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance

  • To see the hospital map please click here (opens new tab).
  • There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
  • The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located on level 2 of the Bernard Meade Wing.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 020 8934 3993.
  • The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is khft.pals@nhs.net.
  • There are volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
  • Volunteers can be found by the main hospital entrance.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, different languages on request and audio 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.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact the main reception.

Hospital Parking (Car Park 2 - DSU and Maternity Car Park)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located in front of the Maternity and Day Surgery Unit.
    • 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 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 throughout the car park.
    • Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Payment machines are located outside the entrance to the maternity and day surgery unit.
    • There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • 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 dropped kerbs.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
  • Comments View
    • Blue Badge holders must register their car registration to get free parking.

Outside Access

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the left of the main hospital entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 140cm (4ft 7in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 207cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 212cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the first set of entrance doors.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • Handrails are not provided in corridors.
    • Seating is provided in some corridors.
    • There is high visual contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Signage and Wayfinding View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
    • The wayfinding signage includes some pictograms.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
    • The interview room to the left of the antenatal clinic reception on the ground floor can be used.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in public areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right as you enter.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the maternity unit 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 G, 1.
  • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby on the first floor.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are 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 visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 128cm (4ft 2in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 142cm x 274cm (4ft 8in x 8ft 12in).
  • 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.

Reception (Maternity)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located on the first floor.
    • The reception point is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the lift.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the lift.
    • 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 not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • 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 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 available.
    • A water dispenser is 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.

Entrance (Thameside Postnatal / Neonatal Unit / Delivery Suite Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the first floor, to the left of the maternity reception.
    • The entrance area/door is not 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 an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 113cm (3ft 8in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • 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 168cm.
  • Comments View
    • The intercom is on the inside of the door and is for use when exiting the area.
    • Please ask at the reception for access into the area.

Entrance (Birth Centre / Transitional Care / Antenatal Ward Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the first floor, to the right of the maternity reception.
    • The entrance area/door is not 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 an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 114cm (3ft 9in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 135cm (4ft 5in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 168cm.
  • Comments View
    • The intercom is on the inside of the door and is for use when exiting the area.
    • Please ask at the reception for access into the area.

Standard Toilet(s) (Maternity Reception)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located to the left of the maternity reception.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 4m from the lift.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • The colour contrast between the internal toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • Toilet seats do not have a high visual contrast.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 82cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The wall fixed soap dispenser is located above the wash basin.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities

  • Accessible toilet facilities are located on level 3 by the Main Entrance, on level 2 of the Esher Wing and Kingston Surgical Centre, on levels 3 and 4 of the Kingston Surgical Centre and on levels 6 and 7 of the Esher Wing.
  • Shared standard toilet facilities are located on level 3 by the Main Entrance, level 2 of the Esher Wing and Kingston Surgical Centre and on level 5 of Esher Wing.
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located on levels 3 and 4 of Kingston Surgical Centre.
  • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet on level 2 of the Kingston Surgical Centre, and within the accessible toilets on levels 6 and 7 of the Esher Wing.

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