Summary
Sunday 16 March is Disabled Access Day which highlights the importance of accessibility and inclusiveness for all, especially for people with disabilities. Our new hospice building, which opened in the spring of 2023, was designed with these principles in mind. Here, we share how our new facilities at Martlets are benefitting our patients, visitors and staff.
Access for everyone, every day
“For patients and visiting loved ones, it’s already a sensitive and difficult time, so it was important when we were designing our new space that the building should play a part in delivering independence and dignity for our patients and families,” says Billy Emsley, head of Estates at Martlets. “We want everyone to feel included and supported not only by our staff but by the building itself. All our floors and garden paths are the same level threshold and width so hospital beds and wheelchairs can easily move through. There are disabled parking bays, ramped access at the front of the building and a newly installed Disabled Access Platform Lift and Disabled Refuge Alarm (in case of a fire emergency).”
Hard of hearing induction loops have been installed in our reception areas, and unisex accessible toilets are available throughout the building with wash basins set at a particular height to allow wheelchair access.
“Hoists can make a big difference when it comes to moving patients comfortably and safely and these have been installed in five of the patient rooms; the new spa bathroom has a hoist too. Every patient room has an ensuite with wheelchair access and a shower seat. We also thought about the small details such as double hinges on bathroom doors – this means they swing both ways which makes access so much easier.”
Spa bathroom with hoist
Danny spent two weeks on our inpatient ward so that doctors could review his pain medications and improve his mobility, enabling him to cope more independently at home.
“I have bone cancer and my left leg was pretty useless when I came in, but I can use it again now and get around a bit easier,” he says. “I’ll miss the jacuzzi bathroom at Martlets. It’s a large space with a hoist, so if your mobility isn’t good the staff can help get you in there easily. You can play your own music and have different colour mood lighting. It’s awesome. I was sitting in the bath listening to Led Zeppelin!”
Access all areas
Danny also appreciated having easy access to our outside spaces at Martlets. All our patient rooms have large glass doors that open on to the gardens and the beds can be wheeled outside – so our patients can enjoy fresh air and sunshine.
“It’s great to have paths that wind around the hospice,” he adds. “When my friend visited he’d push me around in a wheelchair. I’d even go and sit out there in the evening wrapped up in a blanket. It was great to have the outside space to sit and reflect. My brother also visited and wheeled me through the new hospice facilities to the café. It was so easy to move about and make use of all the different areas.”
Our café and gardens were also redesigned as part of the building project and offer a safe space to relax and socialise. Patients and visitors tell us that these informal spaces make a big difference to their experience at Martlets.
Designed for MND patients
Supporting our patients who have motor neurone disease (MND) is something we are passionate about. Since November 2024, we have launched monthly multi-disciplinary MND clinics here at the hospice.
“It’s exciting, because when we were designing the outpatient department, we did it with MND patients in mind,” says Dr Risma Pau, a consultant in palliative medicine and medical lead for MND at Martlets. “One of the rooms is specifically designed for patients with limited mobility and for those who would benefit from seeing a few members of the multidisciplinary team in one clinic. The waiting room has also been considered to allow for patients with mobility aids like large wheelchairs to access the room.”
Fit for the future
Our new building was designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating, with inclusivity at the heart of the process, ensuring that all patients, visitors and staff can navigate the space with dignity, comfort, and safety. (BREEAM is the leading global assessment method for improving buildings and infrastructure).
“We’re confident that our new facilities are fit for the future and will enable Martlets to keep on caring for the local community for many years to come,” adds Billy.
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Published: 13/03/2025