Access Guide
Getting To The Hospital
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By Road
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- The hospital and the Henry VIII Entrance are located on West Smithfield. From the A1 as you head south towards Central London you will pass Barbican Tube Station and turn right into Long Lane and after a short distance you see Smithfields Market on your right. You will need to turn left into West Smithfield as you pass the market. The hospital will be on your left.
- There are 8 on-street Blue Badge parking bays available and a limited number of standard on-street parking bays directly outside the Henry VIII Entrance on West Smithfield. There is a City of London car park a short distance away with a limited number of parking bays.
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By Bus
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- Bus routes 46 Lancaster Gate and 56 Whipps Cross travel along West Smithfield and into Giltspur Street with several stops around the hospital perimeter. Other routes stop nearby along the A40. All London buses are accessible to wheelchair users via motorised boarding ramp and have a designated area for wheelchair users.
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By Train
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- The nearest national rail station is City Thameslink with direct trains to Brighton, Central London, London St Pancras International, Luton Airport, Gatwick Airport and Bedford. There are staff to assist with manual boarding ramps between the train and the platform at this station. There is level access between the platforms and the street. Bus services connect with this station and there is also a taxi rank.
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By Underground
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- The nearest underground station with step free access is Farringdon, which is on the Circle, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City and Elizabeth lines. There is step-free access from platform to street at this station with ramps available on request to access the trains from the platform. The station is about a 10 minute walk from the hospital. The nearest underground stations with no step-free access is St Paul's on the District Line,or Barbican on the Circle, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City and Elizabeth lines.
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Useful Links
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- The TFL Journey Planner tool allows users to plot suitable transport options, including specifying requirements, such as step-free access, minimum changes or maximum walking times.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- TFL's Transport Accessibility website includes links to useful information such as maps and guides in different formats and up to date information on temporary lift and escalator closures.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- The Thameslink Railway website will advise on timetabling, delays and cancellations.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- The Transport For London Buses website will advise on timetabling, delays, cancellations and diversions.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance
- There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
- The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located on the ground floor of the Kenton and Lucas Wing.
- The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 020 3594 2040.
- The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is [email protected].
- There are volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
- Volunteers do receive disability awareness / equality training.
- Hospital staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
- Volunteers can be found in the main reception area of the King George V Wing.
- Hospital staff and volunteers receive deaf awareness training.
- The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; Braille on request, large print on request, Makaton on request, different languages on request, voice recognition CD on request and audio on request.
- There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
- BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
- Language interpreters can be provided on request.
- A mobility scooter charging point is not available at the hospital.
- Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs, tri wheel walkers, walking frames, walking sticks, mobile hoists, hoist slings, adjustable beds and crutches.
- To obtain mobility aids please contact reception.
Hospital Parking (Hospital Parking And Patient Drop Off Point)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
- The car park is located at the rear of the hospital.
- 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 Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
- There is/are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 500cm x 600cm (16ft 5in x 19ft 8in).
- There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is a designated drop-off point.
- The drop-off point is located in the Blue Badge zone.
- There is not a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
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Paying
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- There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
- Payment signs do not make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- Free parking for Blue Badge holders is for 5 hours (no return within 3 hours) only.
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Access to the Hospital
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- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
- The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 28m (30yd 1ft) from the Patient Transport entrance.
Public Parking (West Smithfield)
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On Street Blue Badge Parking
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- There is a/are clearly signed and/or marked on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) is/are located on West Smithfield.
- The dimensions of the on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 220cm x 500cm.
- There are not parking charges for the on street Blue Badge parking bay(s).
- Payment signs are provided.
- Payment signs are clearly presented.
- Payment term signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- Free parking for Blue Badge holders is for 6 hours only.
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On Street Standard Parking
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- Standard on street parking is available.
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Public Car Park
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- There is a car park for public use within approximately 200m (219yd).
- The public car park is located on West Smithfield.
- The name of the car park is West Smithfield Car Park.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop-off point.
- Additional Public Parking Information View
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Comments
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- There are 8 Blue Badge parking bays available.
- Smithfield car park is available in West Smithfield operated by the City Of London.
- Please see the link above for details.
Getting To (PALS And Advocacy)
- PALS and Advocacy is/are located on the ground floor of the Kenton and Lucas Wing.
- Access to PALS and Advocacy is via the Kenton and Lucas Wing Entrance B.
- Enter the hospital site via the Henry VIII Entrance and follow the path towards the Square directly ahead, passing by the church and through an archway. Turn left as you reach the Square and follow the path. You will see the Square to your right and the East Wing as you continue along the path. The path narrows slightly as you pass the East Wing and widens back out as you approach the Kenton And Lucas Wing to your left. Pass through the entrance to the Kenton And Lucas Wing and PALS and Advocacy is located through the door to the right.
- There is step free access to Pals and Advocacy.
- Pals and Advocacy is approximately 8m from the Kenton and Lucas Wing Entrance B.
- There is a/are manual, heavy, single door(s) between the Kenton and Lucas Wing Entrance B and the department/service.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
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Comments
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- The PALS office is due to be relocated into the ground floor of the King George V Wing in December 2017.
- The exact location had not been confirmed at the time of our visit.
- Please check with the venue before visiting.
- The Advocacy Team are expected to remain in this location as a staff office, but clients are not seen here.
Outside Access (Henry VIII Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located on West Smithfield.
- The entrance area/door is 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 main door(s) open(s) both ways.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 172cm.
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Comments
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- One side of the gate is usually kept locked. It had been briefly opened at the time of our survey for building vehicles to pass.
Outside Access (Kenton and Lucas Entrance B)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the right hand end of the front of the building.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- There is not a hand sanitiser.
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 150cm.
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Ramp/Slope Details
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance as you approach from the walkway.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up the ramp.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
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Step Details
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- The step(s) is/are located to the right of the entrance as you face it.
- There is/are 3 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up the step(s).
Opening Times (PALS)
- Monday 09:30 - 16:00.
- Tuesday 09:30 - 16:00.
- Wednesday 09:30 - 16:00.
- Thursday 09:30 - 16:00.
- Friday 09:30 - 16:00.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Opening Times (Advocacy)
- Access is by appointment only.
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Comments
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- The administration team are available on weekdays 08:00 - 18:00.
- A telephone interpretation service can be prebooked on a weekday for appointments at the weekends.
- The Advocacy Service can be contacted by email: [email protected].
Entrance (PALS and Advocacy)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor of the Kenton and Lucas Wing.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is no hand sanitiser at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm.
Reception
Room / Area (PALS and Advocacy)
- There is / are 1 room(s) / area(s) available.
- The room / area is approximately 10m from the Kenton and Lucas Wing Entrance B.
- There is level access to the room / area.
- The type of flooring is carpet.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is/are height adjustable.
- There are no chairs with armrests available.
- All tables are permanently fixed.
- The room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room / area.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Toilet with Adaptations
- Accessible toilet facilities are not available.
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Comments
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- The nearest accessible toilet is on the ground floor of the Kenton and Lucas Wing.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are not available.
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Comments
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- The nearest standard toilet is on the ground floor of the Kenton and Lucas Wing.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- King George V Wing Building Guide link (new tab) - click here.
- Rehabilitation Unit link (new tab) - click here.
- Minor Injuries Unit link (new tab) - click here.
- Gamma Knife Suite link (new tab) - click here.
- Cashiers and Fares link (new tab) - click here.