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St Bartholomew's Museum

St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • By Road View
    • 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.
  • By Bus View
    • 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.
  • By Train View
    • 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.
  • By Underground View
    • 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.
  • Useful Links View

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)

  • Parking View
    • 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.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • 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.
  • Paying View
    • 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.
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • 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)

  • On Street Blue Badge Parking View
    • 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.
  • On Street Standard Parking View
    • Standard on street parking is available.
  • Public Car Park View
    • 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.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point.
  • Additional Public Parking Information View
  • Comments View
    • 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.

Outside Access (Henry VIII Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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.

Opening Times (Museum)

  • Monday Closed.
  • Tuesday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Wednesday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Thursday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Friday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Outside Access (Museum)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located just beyond the Henry VIII Entrance.
    • 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 a bell but it is not at a convenient height for wheelchair users to gain access.
    • 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 with a locked extension leaf.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 55cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the museum entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is portable.
    • Please contact reception for use of the portable ramp.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp is 80cm.
    • The ramp/slope bypasses bypass the step(s).
  • Step Details View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the museum entrance.
    • There is/are 2 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is/are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located just beyond the museum entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 1m (3ft 3in) from the museum entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly 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 not 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 medium height (77cm - 109cm) .
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is a hearing assistance system.
    • The type of system is a fixed loop.
    • The hearing assistance system is signed.
    • Staff are trained to use the system.
    • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not 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.
    • The type of flooring is carpet.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There is bench seating only.
    • No tables are permanently fixed.
    • The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
    • There is a television.
    • Subtitles are available.
    • Vending machines are not available.
    • A water dispenser is available.
    • There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
    • Lighting levels are medium.

Inside Access

  • There is level access once inside.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are not allowed in public parts of the venue.
  • Wayfinding signage is not available.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is carpet.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
  • The lighting levels are medium.

Museum

  • St Bartholomew's Hospital was founded in 1123 and for nearly 900 years has provided care on the same site in Smithfield.
  • The archives and museum collections include documents from the 12th to the 21st centuries, and objects reflect the changes to patient care, teaching and administration at the hospital.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are not available.
  • Comments View
    • The nearest accessible toilet is located within the Kenton and Lucas Wing.

Standard Toilet(s)