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Friends Patient & Staff Library

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9NH

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital (Chelsea and Westminster Hospital)

  • By Road View
    • Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is situated to the south of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The hospital is located along Fulham Road. The postcode to use for the Sat-Nav is SW10 9NH.
    • The hospital has an underground public car park which is accessed via Nightingale Place to the left hand side of the hospital which is located just off Fulham Road. There are 17 Blue Badge bays located within the car park. These are available free of charge to drivers who have a hospital appointment and are displaying a valid Blue Badge in their vehicle. The bays are located near to the car park lifts.
  • By Bus View
    • The nearest bus stops (Stop HA and HF) are located on either side of Fulham Road and are approximately 50 yards from the hospital. The 14, 211 and 414 services stop here.
    • There is not an onsite bus stop.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest train station is West Brompton. The hospital is 0.8 miles (17 min walk) from the train station via Lillie Road, Finborough Road and Fulham Road.
  • By Underground View
    • The nearest underground station to the hospital is Fulham Broadway. The hospital is 0.7 miles (14 min walk) from the underground station via Fulham Road and is served by the District line.
      Other stations nearby include Earl's Court (0.8 miles away) and South Kensington (1.2 miles away), both of which are served by the District and Piccadilly lines. South Kensington is also served by the Circle line.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance

  • To see the hospital map please click here (opens new tab).
  • 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, behind the main reception desk.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 020 3315 6727.
  • 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 on the lower ground floor, in the office to the rear of the restaurant seating.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: large print on request and different languages on request.
  • There is an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • The assistance dog toilet or toileting area is located on the ground floor of the hospital, by the car park.
  • 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 main reception, therapies, volunteers and the sight team.
  • There is a Safe Place at this hospital which is located within the gardens on Level 3 and Level 5.
  • There is a Changing Places facility at this hospital which is located on the ground floor, along the main corridor.

Hospital Parking (Underground)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located to the left of the hospital via Nightingale Place.
    • The car park type is underground.
    • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
    • The maximum height is 195cm (6ft 5in).
    • The car park does have a barrier control system.
    • There is a touchscreen at the barrier.
    • The barrier controls/touchscreen can be reached from the car.
    • The car park surface is concrete.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 350cm x 450cm (11ft 6in x 14ft 9in).
    • There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
    • 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 front of the main hospital entrance.
    • There is not a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located at the entrance to the car park.
    • Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Payment machines are located in the lift lobby of the car park.
    • There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
    • To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
  • 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 not clearly visible from the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the hospital entrance is clearly signposted.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the lift lobby entrance.
  • Comments View
    • Blue Badge holders with a hospital appointment may claim for free parking.

Public Parking (Blue Badge Bays Only)

  • 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 Netherton Grove.
    • The dimensions of the on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 210cm x 530cm.
    • There are not parking charges for the on street Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Free parking for Blue Badge holders is for 4 hours only.
  • Comments View
    • There is no return permitted within 4 hours.

Getting To (Friends Patient & Staff Library)

  • The Friends Patient & Staff Library is/are located on the Lower Ground Floor.
  • Access to the Friends Patient & Staff Library is via the main hospital entrance.
  • Enter via the main hospital entrance and turn left past the escalators. Turn left again and proceed down the corridor to until you reach Lifts A. Take the lift down to the Lower Ground Floor. As you exit the lift, turn left and go through the double doors. The entrance to the Friends Patient & Staff Library will be along the corridor, on the left.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to the Friends Patient & Staff Library.
  • The Friends Patient & Staff Library is approximately 8m from the lift.
  • There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the lift and the department/service.
  • There are not resting areas along the route.
  • 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.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
  • Comments View
    • There is an alternative entrance from the car park at Basement level to the Lower Ground Floor of the hospital via Lift A. Please note that Lift A only has access to the Basement, Lower Ground Floor and the Ground Floor.

Outside Access (Main Hospital Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on Fulham Road, at the front of the hospital.
    • There is a drop-off point at this entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 116cm (3ft 10in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 89cm (2ft 11in).
    • Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The automatic door(s) is/are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 141cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The automatic door(s) is/are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 142cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
  • Comments View
    • The height of the push pad button to open the accessible door is 88cm.
    • There are two revolving doors either side of the accessible entrance.
    • The height of the button to slow down the revolving doors is 83cm from the floor.
    • There are free standing hand sanitisers beyond the revolving doors.
    • The height of the free standing hand sanitisers are 107cm.

Other Floors (Stairs 1)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are Basement, Lower Ground, Ground, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not 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 moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • Access to stairs 3, 4, 5 and 7 is via key card only.

Other Floors (Escalators - Lower Ground Floor To Ground Floor)

  • Escalators View
    • Escalators can be used to access other floors.
    • Signs indicating the location of the escalators are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by escalator are Lower Ground and Ground.
    • The escalators steps are clearly marked.
    • The foot and head of the escalators are not clearly marked.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Lift (Lift A)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left, from the car park entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the car park entrance.
  • 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 Basement, Lower Ground and Ground.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not 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.
  • 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 high.
  • The clear door width is 110cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 152cm x 137cm.
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Opening Times (Friends Patient & Staff Library)

  • Monday Closed.
  • Tuesday 09:30 - 16:30.
  • Wednesday 09:30 - 16:30.
  • Thursday Closed.
  • Friday 09:30 - 16:30.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Entrance (Friends Patient & Staff Library)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the Lower Ground Floor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • 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) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 103cm.

Library

  • The library is located on the Lower Ground Floor.
  • The library is 1m from the Friends Patient & Staff Library entrance.
  • There is step-free access into the library.
  • There is step-free access within the library.
  • The type of flooring in the library is vinyl.
  • There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • There are no potential trip hazards within the room.
  • This library does have a regular supply of books in Braille.
  • This library does have a regular supply of books in large print.
  • This library does have a regular supply of books in audio format.
  • There is an ordering service.
  • There are no reading/study desks available.
  • There are no height adjustable desks available.
  • The seats do not have armrests.
  • A member of staff is available to provide assistance.
  • The library does not have a computer area.
  • Books and magazines are ordered via email.
    Patients can either visit the library to pick up their books/magazines or the volunteers can bring them to the ward or department.

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities

  • Changing Places facilities are located on the Ground Floor.
  • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the Lower Ground Floor to the right of Lift A and to the left of Lift D, along the main corridor. They are also located on the Ground Floor along the main corridor.
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located on the Ground Floor, along the main corridor.
  • Shared standard toilet facilities are located on the Ground Floor to the right of Lift A and along the main corridor. Further toilets are also located on the Lower Ground Floor next to Think Food restaurant.
  • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on the Ground Floor along the main hospital corridor.

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