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St Margarets Community Hospital - Birchwood House

The Plain, Epping, Essex, CM16 6TN

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • St Margaret's Community Hospital is located in the north east corner of Epping, just off The Plain - the B181 to North Weald Bassett. Epping can be accessed via Junction 26 of the M25, and Junction 7 from the M11.
    • There are 3 main public car parks at the front of the site. The car parks to the side of the Epping Forest Unit and the Out-Patients Department contain Blue Badge bays. There is also pay and display parking (free for Blue Badge holders) available throughout the site.
  • By Bus View
    • There are various services that run to the Hospital from Harlow, Loughton, Waltham Cross and Ongar, as well as Epping. The Excel 333 service runs from Stansted to Epping (town centre) every hour.
  • By Train View
    • There is no overland train service at Epping. The nearest stations are Waltham Cross, Cheshunt and Harlow Town, which are served by the Greater Anglia network.
  • By Underground View
    • Epping Underground station, at the end of the Central Line, is located in the town, approximately 1 mile from the hospital.
  • Useful Links View

Bus Stop(s) and Drop-off Point(s)

  • Bus Stop(s) View
    • There is an onsite bus stop.
    • The bus stop is located outside the Epping Forest Unit.
    • The bus stop is sheltered, and has bench seating with arm rests either end. There is space for a wheelchair user to wait at this bus stop.
    • From the bus stop, take the path around the front of the Epping Forest Unit. This path is level with a concrete tile surface. Cross the main hospital site road, using the dropped kerb with tactile paving, for the Out-Patients Department drop off point to access the pavement on the other side. Follow the level, tarmac path around the right hand side of the Out-Patients Department, cross the road between Out-Patients and Birchwood House at the first crossing, then turn left towards the main entrance. This route is approximately 80 metres.
  • Drop-off Point(s) View
    • There is a/are clearly marked onsite drop-off point(s).
    • The drop off point is outside the Out-Patients Department GP Out of Hours entrance.
    • Cross the level tarmac road from the drop off point to the main entrance. The drop off point is approximately 8 metres from the main entrance.

Parking

  • Parking View
    • The venue does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
    • The car park is located on the road between this building and the Out-Patients Department.
    • 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 a/are clearly marked/signposted Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
    • There is/are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 220cm x 500cm (7ft 3in x 16ft 5in).
    • There is not a 1200mm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • There are additional car parks for staff and visitors.
    • There are additional car parks located throughout the hospital site.
  • Paying View
    • There are not parking charges for the car park.
  • Access from the Car Park View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac.
    • There is tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the car park and the entrance.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main entrance.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building, opposite the Out-Patients Department.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The main automatic door(s) is/are push pad or push button activated.
    • The push pad or push button is 90cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 92cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • 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 107cm.

Getting Around The Building

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is carpet and vinyl.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all corridors.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
    • Lighting levels of at least 100 lux at floor level, were recorded in some corridors surveyed.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in public areas.
    • There is a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.
    • The system is a fixed loop.
    • The hearing loop is fixed in the lecture theatre on the first floor.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, double doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • 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 not 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 varied.
  • Comments View
    • There is an identical staircase in the staff area to the left as you enter, this staircase has the handrail on the left hand side going up.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right as you enter, just before the stairs and Breast Screening Unit.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the main 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-1-2.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not 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.
  • Lighting levels are not at least 100 lux at floor level in the lift lobby.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is good.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is poor.
  • The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 109cm x 139cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The accessible toilet surveyed is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the first floor, outside the lecture theatre.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the lift.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is not a shared toilet.
    • The details here are for the male toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 216cm x 256cm (7ft 1in x 8ft 5in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm in front of the seat.
    • The toilet has a non slip floor.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 140cm (4ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is not a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 25cm from floor level.
    • There is not an emergency alarm.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are general domestic waste disposal units.
    • There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the right.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left hand side of the wash basin.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • There is not a standard shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
    • There is not a mirror.
    • The toilet has a backrest.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 108cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 117cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 126cm (4ft 2in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • Lighting levels are at least 100 lux at floor level.
  • Comments View
    • There is a separate female accessible toilet next to the male toilet.
    • This has the transfer space on the right, and has a smaller cubicle.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female Toilet(s) View
    • The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the right as you enter, by the stairs.
    • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 13m (14yd 8in) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • Lighting levels are at least 100 lux at floor level.

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