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Sycamore Unit

Northgate Hospital, Morpeth, Northumberland , NE61 3BP

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Access Guide

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Overview (Sycamore Unit)

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Sycamore Unit)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located next to the Willow Café.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located next to the Willow Café.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptions.

Parking (Main Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located opposite the Sycamore Unit building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac and block paving.
    • There are 13 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are signposted but have no markings.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 242cm (width) x 456cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 118cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 76m from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy slope.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, visitors, Blue Badge holders and staff permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are 6 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 240cm (width) x 437cm (depth).
    • The controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points require an app.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Parking (Sycamore Unit)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the right of the building entrance.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of block paving.
    • There are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are signposted but have no markings.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 220cm (width) x 464cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 27m from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and bollards.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors, Blue Badge holders and staff permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Payment, signage and payment machines are due to be introduced early in 2025.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located next to the car park.
    • The drop off point is also used as a bus stop.

Entrance (Sycamore Unit)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 102cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 97cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception (Sycamore Unit)

  • The reception is located ahead as you enter via the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 6m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 110cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • 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 background noise in this area.
  • 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 without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Getting Around (Sycamore Unit)

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • There is background noise which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Eating and Drinking (Café Willow)

  • Location and Service View
    • The café is located on the left after entering the Sycamore Unit.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered, staff who can provide assistance with ordering and designated seating.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • Menus are available on a board.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: takeaway cups and takeaway cutlery.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The service counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located at the far side of the seating area.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 89cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • 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 space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the right of the café.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 15m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial, written text and dementia friendly signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • 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 193cm (width) x 221cm (depth) and there is 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 127cm (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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 49cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 103cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 103cm 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 an intercom alarm system.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 113cm and 140cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 96cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.