Access Statement for Acorn House Veterinary Hospital

This access statement does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with access needs but aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer all our guests/visitors.

Introduction

We are a small animal veterinary hospital in a residential area on the edge of Bedford. We offer a very high standard of veterinary care with full hospitalisation facilities for dogs, cats and small pets with a veterinary nurse on site 24 hours a day.

We have a substantial, purpose built, modern building with good accessibility as detailed below.

Our staff have received additional training in customer care and disability access. We are very well used to caring for assistance dogs and can offer these dogs water and access to an enclosed garden for toileting.

We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require any assistance, please phone 01234 261839 or email info@acornhousevets.co.uk.

Pre-Arrival

Our address is Acorn House Veterinary Hospital, Linnet Way, Brickhill, Bedford and our postcode (for sat nav directions) is MK41 7HN. There is ample parking in our own car park, which includes a dedicated disabled parking space adjacent to the front door.

Our veterinary hospital is directly on the frequent Stagecoach number 6 bus route between Bedford town centre bus station and Bedford Railway Station and Brickhill. This service runs approximately every 12 minutes between 6am and 6pm and then less frequently up until 10pm. Full details are available at www.bedford.gov.uk and the nearest bus stop is 50 metres from the surgery on Brickhill Drive, adjacent to a small parade of shops. The stop has a shelter and seating.

Many taxi companies are willing to transport you and your pet to the surgery. A1 taxis are a local taxi company available on 01234 364444. They are happy to transport pets but will send a larger, mini-bus type taxi to do this. Please advise them of any access requirements at the time of booking.

Fullers Ark (07713121570) and Bedford Pet Sitting (07977857759) are local pet sitting companies that also offer transport to and from the vets. They are able to transport you and your pet together or can offer to take your pet unaccompanied and will represent you at the veterinary consultation if you are unable to attend.

The main road outside the surgery is on a slight incline and has a wide paved path.

Car Parking and Arrival

• There is ample parking in our own car park directly off Linnet Way. The car park has space for 10 cars, and one clearly marked disabled parking bay adjacent to the main entrance.
• Our car park surface is tarmac and the car park is flat and smooth.
• There is a large sign at the entrance to the car park, clearly visible from both directions when approaching the surgery along Linnet Way.

Traffic Management Plan

Main Entrance, Reception and Waiting Area

• The main entrance is situated on the ground floor via a wide concrete ramp with a solid handrail and a gradual incline. 
• The external door is opened by pressing an assisted access wall control button. 
• There is a wide, level lobby area with an automatic door opening into the waiting room (same level)

Ramp width = 180cm, external door width =104cm, internal door width = 98cm

• The waiting room is very large and open with wooden seating. Some of these seats have arm rests. There is a separate quiet waiting area for clients with cats which also has step-free access. The seating rows incorporate square table-like surfaces to rest pet carriers or personal belongings. There is ample space for wheelchairs and mobility scooters in this waiting room.
• The waiting room and consultation rooms are air-conditioned.
• A non-slip, smooth, level medical floor surface is present throughout the building
• The area is evenly and well-lit with overhead lighting from fluorescent lights and a great deal of natural light.
• The reception desk is low level and easily accessible for wheelchairs. There is no screen between the receptionists and the waiting area. Displaying IMG_6839.JPG
• A television with a silent visual display of our practice facilities and educational content is mounted on one wall of the waiting area.

Services

• There are four veterinary consulting rooms that are accessed step free directly from the waiting area. These have wide doorways that will allow a wheelchair to pass through and ample space inside for a wheelchair or mobility scooter. There is a chair available in each consulting room and additional seating is available on request.
• There is a smaller consulting room also accessed from the waiting area for nurse consultations. This room is not suitable for wheelchair or mobility scooters - a veterinary consultation room would be used instead.
• A water bowl is available for dogs in the main reception area
• If your cat's carrier becomes soiled during your journey the reception team will ask one of our veterinary nurses to clean and replace any bedding prior to your appointment. Please ask at Reception if this becomes necessary.
• Dogs that are uncomfortable waiting in the main waiting area may wait in the car park (an outdoor bench is available beside the disabled parking area, accessed by crossing a raised area of gravel) or inside your car - the veterinary surgeon will come out to you in the car park when your appointment is due.
• An enclosed garden is available at the rear of the property if your dog requires off-lead access to toilet. Step free, level access from the car park is available - please ask at Reception so that you and your dog can be accompanied into this area.

Public Toilets

• There is one toilet directly accessible from the main waiting area. This is a disabled access toilet with a wide, step free doorway, a large amount of uncluttered space, and grab rails.
• Toilet cubicle 274cm long x 185cm wide

Shop(s)

• There are products for sale on the lowered section of the reception desk and on stands against the wall of the waiting room. If you wish to purchase any of these products, they can be taken to the reception desk or the receptionists will be happy to collect them from the stand. Prescription products are not visible from the waiting room and will be prescribed by the veterinary surgeon and brought to the reception desk as necessary.
• Payment is accepted in cash or by debit or credit card. Cheques cannot be accepted.

Additional Information

• Appointments and repeat prescription requests may be made by telephone. Our telephone lines are fully open from 8am until 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am until 4:30 pm on Saturdays. An emergency service is available on the same number outside of these times.
• Our telephone service has an automated system to direct your call to the appropriate member of staff. Selecting option 1 will put you through to our receptionists, and option 2 will put you through to the nurse on duty in the hospitalisation area (if you have  a pet staying with us).
• Online forms are available on our website (www.acornhousevets.com) which can be completed to register your pet with us or to request a repeat prescription.
• House visits are available on request
• Written information sheets are available on the website for common conditions. Information on general pet care, the Pet Travel Scheme, neutering and dental care are also available on the website or from reception.