Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Prayer Area (Retreat)

Whipps Cross University Hospital , Whipps Cross Road, Leytonstone , London , E11 1NR

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Overview (Whipps Cross University Hospital)

  • About View
    • This is a hospital with multiple services available.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: wards, departments, a shop, restaurant and coffee shop.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: There is a slight slope to access vending machines off the main corridor on the ground floor. There is also a slight slope to access the outpatients building via the link bridge.
    • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
    • The lower ground floor, ground floor, first floor and second floor can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is no hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
    • British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: Braille (on request), large print (on request) and different languages (on request).
    • The hospital volunteers operate a buggy service to drive patients with mobility difficulties between the Hospital Main Building, Outpatients and other buildings on the hospital site.
      The buggy can carry patients and their folded wheelchair or other mobility aids.
      Staff at any department or reception can contact the volunteer service.
      Porters can also be called to assist patients who are unable to transfer out of their own wheelchair or who require a hospital wheelchair.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: a pay phone and Wi-Fi.

Parking (Car Park 1)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Hospital Road.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 240cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • The hatched/marked zones vary between bays.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 11m from the main hospital entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
    • There are 5 clearly marked steps from the standard bays in the car park to the hospital main entrance that can be bypassed by going back through the car park and round to the right. The steps are 15cm in height and have handrails on both sides.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Free parking for Blue Badge holders is restricted to 5 hours. No return within 3 hours.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located in the centre of the car park.
    • There is a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a level manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user in front of the payment machine (185cm x 210cm).
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There is 1 electric vehicle charging point.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 240cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • The controls are not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points require tap and pay (contactless payment).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Getting To (Prayer Area (Retreat))

  • The Prayer Area (Retreat) is/are located on Red Zone Level 1.
  • Access to the Prayer Area (Retreat) is via the Orange Zone main entrance.
  • From the Hospital Main Entrance, turn right past the main reception (Junction 1 - Orange Zone) then follow the main corridor. Continue ahead to Lift C at Junction 3. Take Lift C to the first floor. From the lift, turn right and go through the double doors onto the open air walkway. Head towards the tower and the double doors at the end of the walkway. The entrance to Prayer Area (Retreat) corridor is ahead.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to the Prayer Area (Retreat).
  • The Prayer Area (Retreat) is approximately 100m from the Lift C.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the Orange Zone main 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.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located off Hospital Road.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy ramp at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 113cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 117cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 156cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Exit (Main Entrance)

  • The exit area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the exit.
  • There is a single automatic door at this exit.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 128cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 115cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you exit.

Lift (Junction 3 - No.9)

  • The lift surveyed is located along the main corridor at junction 3.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 86m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • The ground floor, first floor and second floor are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 131cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 165cm (width) x 243cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Opening Times

  • The venue is open 24hrs.

Entrance (Prayer Area (Retreat))

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located in the Red Zone Level 1.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance, via lift.
    • 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) towards you (pull).
    • 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 86cm.

Inside Access (Prayer Area (Retreat))

  • 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.
  • Wayfinding signage is available.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • 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 medium.

Room / Area (Christian Prayer Area)

  • There is / are 1 room(s) / area(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room / area surveyed was; Christian Prayer Area.
  • There is level access to the room / area.
  • Step free access is by lift.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the room / area.
  • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 132cm (4ft 4in).
  • The type of flooring is carpet and vinyl/laminate.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is not a bed / couch.
  • A hoist is not available.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
  • There are some chairs with armrests available.
  • The room / area does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room / area.
  • Lighting levels are medium.

Room / Area (Muslim Prayer Area)

  • There is / are 2 room(s) / area(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room / area surveyed was; Muslim Prayer Area.
  • There is level access to the room / area.
  • Step free access is by lift.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the room / area.
  • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 132cm (4ft 4in).
  • The type of flooring is carpet and vinyl/laminate.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is not a bed / couch.
  • There is not a chair.
  • No 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 medium.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Accessible toilet facilities are not available.
  • Comments View
    • The nearest accessible toilet is located at Ground Orange Zone Junction 3.

Standard Toilet(s)

Related Access Guides