Introduction

Vitalise Sandpipers opened in November 1988 and was designed to meet the requirements of individuals with a range of needs, in as accessible and caring an environment as possible.

The Centre has welcomed many hundreds of guests through its doors over the years.

Vitalise Sandpipers has direct access to Marine Lake and westward sea views so you can watch stunning sunsets from the accessible grounds or the spacious sun terrace. Despite its tranquility, Sandpipers is close to the centre of Southport, with its renowned promenade and Victorian arcades, and a short distance from Liverpool.

At the time it was designed the criteria for accessibility were different to those in place today, therefore some of the facilities may not meet current building requirements. When changes are made Vitalise will improve accessibility wherever possible.

There are a total of 34 bedrooms on the ground and first floor level.

Vitalise Sandpipers is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to ensure a consistent level of service for clients.

The following statement is a summary of our provision. If you have any specific questions please feel free to call us and we will endeavour to help. Other information can be found on our website and in our brochure.

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Transport

Details of how to find us are shown in the How to Get There section, together with information about public transport.

There are four designated accessible parking bays for cars in the furthest car park up to 50m from the entrance, in addition to spaces for other cars.

Vitalise also operate their own vehicles which meet the current regulations for the carriage of passengers. There are four designated spaces for a coach and other minibus vehicles outside the entrance on the ground floor.

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Access to Vitalise Sandpipers

There two ramps (3.6m and 4.8m long) of 1:12 on the route from the furthest car park to the entrance.

There is level access and a drop-off point outside the door on the ground floor about 10m from the entrance, plus level access across a covered footbridge to the first floor level about 30m from this entrance.

There are two sets of sliding automatic doors 1300mm and 1350mm clear opening at the entrances on the ground and first floor levels, with night bells 1300 -1340mm high when the doors are locked at night.

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Access within Vitalise Sandpipers

Inside the property there are level routes throughout, with lift access between the ground and first floor. The lift doors are 1300mm clear opening, with clear floorspace of 2100mm deep x 1570mm wide.

Access to the Dining Room, Bar and Lounge is via a lift from the ground floor or level access on the first floor.

The Dining Room has automatic doors 1340mm clear opening.

Dining tables have at least 730-790mm clear space under them (blocks are available to raise the tables if required).

There is seating with and without armrests.

The Lounge and Bar are situated in an open plan area.

There is space under the lowered bar counter, and the height of the counter is 800mm.

There is a door 880mm clear opening to the TV lounge.

Mobile telephone signals on site are generally good, and a lowered payphone is also available on site.

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Bedrooms

There are 30 single rooms and four twin bedded rooms (all en suite). Bedrooms are available with an overhead tracking hoist with a safe working load (SWL) of up to 190kg (EG: Room 22). There are 17 rooms on the ground floor and 17 rooms on the first floor.

Doors to the rooms are a minimum of 850-880mm clear opening, with plenty of clear floorspace.

There is one room for guests with a hearing impairment, fitted with a strobe light linked to the fire alarm system.

There is one room for guests with a visual impairment, fitted with a vibrating pad linked to the fire alarm system.

There are televisions in the rooms.

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Bathrooms

All rooms have en suite wheel-in showers.

There are two separate bathrooms for assisted bathing with hoists and bariatric equipment, and Arjo baths.

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Swimming pool

The heated indoor hydrotherapy pool has 850mm clear opening doors. There is an overhead tracking hoist with a chair.

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Garden

There are double doors with 1560mm clear opening leading out to the Sun Terrace and balcony area on the first floor. The Terrace leads to a 50m long 1:10 -1:12 ramp down to the garden and Marine Lake.

There are no resting places on the ramp, and assistance may be required by some manual wheelchair users to gain access to the garden.

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Equipment available for guest rooms

Call systems in all rooms

Adjustable height / profiling beds (with bed rails if required)

Pressure mattresses

Airflow mattresses available by prior arrangement at an additional cost

Overhead tracking hoists, plus portable hoists

Wheel-in shower chairs for assisted use are available

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Additional equipment

The following is a list of additional equipment and facilities put together by Vitalise Sandpipers.

• Bed rails
• Soft bumpers
• Monkey poles
• Stand aid
• Turntable
• Belts
• Sliding sheets
• Slings
• Shower trolley
• Toilet seat raisers
• Commodes
• Shower chairs
• Feeder beakers
• Adapted cutlery
• Plate guards / special plates
• Table raisers
• Over bed tables
• Pressure floor mats for call system
• Variety of adaptations for call system
• Verbal monitors
• Bariatric bed x 2
• Bariatric shower chair x 2
• Bariatric hoist x 2
• Pool hoist
• Floppy doppies
• Portable hoist

Wheelchairs can be hired locally from:
Southport Shopmobility Link
Tel: 01704 546654
Web: www.southportshopmobility.co.uk

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National Accessibility Scheme

Vitalise Sandpipers has been assessed by Tourism for All under the National Accessibility Scheme. For more information about the scheme visit www.tourismforall.org.uk

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