Access Guide
Getting To The Hospital
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By Road
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- The hospital is located in Whitechapel, east London. The main building is off the A11 Whitechapel Road.
- There are a small number of parking spaces for Blue Badge holders only outside the Emergency Department. These are reached using Cavell Street then Raven Row, off Whitechapel Road. There are also a small number of Blue Badge bays outside the Royal London Dental School, reached using Turner Street off Whitechapel Road. There is provision for dropping off but no parking at the rear entrance in Stepney Way. Whitechapel Road is a no-stopping zone. There is very limited pay and display parking in some of the surrounding streets at the rear of the hospital.
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By Bus
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- TFL buses 25, 205, 254 and night buses N205 and N253 travel along Whitechapel Road in both directions. Westbound (towards central London) the nearest bus stop is Whitechapel Station Royal London Hospital Stop A. Eastbound (heading out of central London) the nearest stop is Whitechapel Station Royal London Hospital Stop B. All London bus services have an automatic powered ramp at the central door and designated space for a wheelchair user. An Oyster card, contactless bank card, prepaid travel card or travel pass is required to travel on London buses.
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By Train
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- The nearest station is Whitechapel Station, served by London Overground services. Now that the new Crossrail construction work is complete, there is step-free interchange between all services at Whitechapel Station, and step-free access to the street from the redeveloped entrance on Whitechapel Road.
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By Underground
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- Whitechapel Station is also served by the Hammersmith & City and the District Underground Lines. There is step-free interchange between all services at Whitechapel Station, and step-free access to the street from the redeveloped entrance on Whitechapel Road.
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Useful Links
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- The TFL journey planner helps to plan a journey using public transport, cycling and walking. Filters can be used to select options such as completely step-free 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).
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 second Floor Central Tower, Main Building, near lift core 5.
- 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 can be found in entrance foyers or by contacting the reception desks at the Whitechapel Road - Main Entrance and Stepney Way entrances.
- Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request and different languages 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.
- To obtain mobility aids please contact staff at the reception desks at the Whitechapel Road - Main Entrance and Stepney Way entrances.
- There are usually wheelchairs available at the entrances to the hospital. A £1 coin is required to release the wheelchair from the docking station.
- Useful Links View
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Comments
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- Other sources of help and support include:
- The Bereavement Office
- The Chaplaincy Office
- The Sanctuary
- A Muslim Prayer Room
- A Jewish Community Room
- The Cashiers' and Fares Office
- All these services are located near the PALS Office.
- Please see the guide to Patient Support Services for details.
Hospital Parking (Main Building)
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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 outside the Emergency Department, reached from Cavell Street and Raven Row.
- 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 block paving.
- There is a/are clearly marked/signposted Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
- There is/are 6 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 360cm x 600cm.
- 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 at the rear of the building, off Stepney Way.
- There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
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Paying
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- There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
- Payment signs are provided.
- Payment signs are not clearly presented.
- Payment signs are located throughout the 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 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 20m (21yd 2ft) from the Emergency Department entrance.
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Comments
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- Waiting or drop off/ pick up is not permitted in the car park.
- Waiting is limited to 10 minutes at the drop-off point in Stepney Way.
Getting To (Clinical Research Facility)
- The Clinical Research Facility is/are located on the eleventh floor of the main building.
- Access to the Clinical Research Facility is via the Stepney Way Entrance.
- Enter via the Stepney Way Entrance, go through the doorway to the right of the entrance foyer. Continue ahead past the Air Ambulance Kiosk towards the double doors on the far side. There are toilets, seats and a refreshment kiosk in this area. Go through the double doors and continue ahead ignoring lift core 4 to the left and the stairs to the right. Go through the next double doors then take the doors to the right into lift core 5. Take the lift to the eleventh floor. From the lift lobby, turn left into the shared waiting area. Enter Ward 11D and follow the corridor past reception, the Clinical Research Facility is located at the end of the corridor.
- There is step free access, via lift, to Clinical Research Facility.
- Clinical Research Facility is approximately 10m from the lift core 5.
- There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the Stepney Way Entrance and the department/service.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
- There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
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Comments
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- From the Main Entrance - Whitechapel Road, follow the main corridor to the right of the Pharmacy all the way to the rear of the building and the Stepney Way Entrance foyer.
- Go through the doorway on the left then follow the directions as for the Stepney Way Entrance.
Lift (Lift Core 5 - Main Public Lift)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located at the rear left of the building from the Main Entrance - Whitechapel Road, or to the right from both Stepney Way entrances.
- Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 100m (109yd 1ft) from the Main Entrance - Whitechapel Road.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G,1,2,3,4,5,10,11,12,13,14.
- There are manual, heavy, double doors to access the lift lobby on all floors.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
- There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
- Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
- Lighting levels are at least 100 lux at floor level in the lift lobby.
- The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
- The visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
- The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is medium.
- The clear door width is 109cm.
- The dimensions of the lift are 209cm x 161cm.
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- There are no controls other than the alarm call within the lift.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does not have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is good.
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Comments
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- There are 4 lifts; A, B, C and D in this lift lobby.
- There are touch screens to select the floor required.
- The screen indicates which of the 4 lifts to take.
- The control panel on the right of the lift lobby as you enter has an additional button for wheelchair users.
- This triggers the audible announcer in the lift lobby.
- There are tactile and Braille markings on this button.
- For access to floors 6-7-8 for the Children's Hospital and Women's Centre, please see the guide to lift core 9.
- For access to Floor 9 Urology please see the guide to lift core 1.
Opening Times
- Access is by appointment only.
Entrance (Facility Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located on the eleventh floor of the main building within Ward 11D.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is a bell/buzzer.
- The height of the bell/buzzer is 141cm .
- There is not an intercom.
- There is not a hand sanitiser.
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm.
Inside Access
- There is level access once inside.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
- The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate.
- There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The lighting levels are varied.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Research Area)
- There is / are 2 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Research Area.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There is not a/are not door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is a bed / couch.
- The bed / couch is not adjustable.
- A hoist can be brought in from another department.
- There is sufficient space next to the bed/couch for a mobile hoist to operate.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is/are adjustable.
- There are some chairs with armrests available.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Toilet with Adaptations
- There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
- The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located in Ward 11D.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are not available.
- The nearest standard toilet(s) is/are located in Ward 11D.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Royal London Hospital link (new tab) - click here.
