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St Margarets Community Hospital - Epping Forest Unit

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 to the right of the main entrance as you face it.
    • The bus stop is sheltered, and has bench seating with arm rests at either end. There is space for a wheelchair user to wait at this bus stop.
    • There is level access from the bus stop to the main entrance. The path has a concrete tile surface. The bus stop is approximately 15 metres from the main entrance.
  • Drop-off Point(s) View
    • There is a/are clearly marked onsite drop-off point(s).
    • The drop off point is located directly in front of the main entrance.
    • There is level access from the drop off point to the main entrance. The path has a block paving surface. The drop off point is approximately 5 metres from the main entrance.

Parking

  • Parking View
    • The venue does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located to the side of the building, past the cafe.
    • 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 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 320cm x 490cm (10ft 6in x 16ft 1in).
    • 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 parking charges for the car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located at the payment machines in the car park.
    • Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • To see the parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
    • Payment machines are located The payment machine is located in the centre of the car park.
    • There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
  • Access from the Car Park 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 entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is not clearly signposted.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is concrete tiles.
    • There is tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the car park and the entrance.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 45m (49yd 8in) from the main entrance.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step free 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.
    • The intercom is in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 174cm.
    • 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 169cm.

Reception (Main Reception)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located just inside the Epping Forest Unit main entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main 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 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 high (110cm+).
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
    • There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the counter.
    • There is a clear knee recess beneath the low section of the desk.
    • 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 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.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.

Getting Around The Building

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
  • Circulation View
    • There are not doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is tiles.
    • There is some flooring in corridors with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are provided in some corridors.
    • There is poor colour contrast between the walls and floor in all corridors.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • 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 provided.
  • 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 portable loop.
    • The portable hearing loop is available from the main reception.
    • The hearing assistance system is available only on request.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, single 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 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 provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located straight ahead from the main entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) 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 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 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 good.
  • The clear door width is 129cm (4ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 138cm x 240cm (4ft 6in x 7ft 10in).
  • 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 not 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 good.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located in the toilet area off the main corridor, to the right as you enter the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is Braille, tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens by sliding (Bi-Fold).
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 81cm (2ft 8in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 210cm x 195cm (6ft 11in x 6ft 5in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is 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.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are clinical waste, female sanitary and 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 both sides.
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides 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 a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The toilet does not have a backrest or a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 101cm.
    • 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 108cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • 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 poor.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • Lighting levels are not at least 100 lux at floor level.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s) View
    • The shared toilets that were surveyed are located to the left as you enter the Unit, just past reception.
    • The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and 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.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located in the shared toilet just past the main reception.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.
    • The baby change table is not set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
    • The baby change table is not height adjustable.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 92cm (3ft).
  • Comments View
    • There are also shared toilets located in the toilet area to the right as you enter, by the accessible toilet.

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