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Elephant Ward

Great Ormond Street Hospital, Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3JH

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Elephant Ward)

  • Elephant Ward is/are located on Level 6 of the Variety Club Building.
  • Access to Elephant Ward is via the main hospital entrance.
  • Enter through the main hospital entrance, and turn right.
    Take either lift 5 or 6, in the Morgan Stanley Building, to Level 2.
    Take a left to exit the Lift lobby and carry on straight ahead, past the reception.
    Follow the corridor and take a right at the end of the corridor to the Variety Club Lifts 1, 2 or 3.
    Take lifts 1, 2 or 3 to Level 6.
    On exiting the lift turn left into the main corridor and the Elephant Ward is located on the left.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Elephant Ward.
  • Elephant Ward is approximately 89m from the main hospital entrance.
  • 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.

Parking (Guilford Street On-street Parking)

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking and standard parking is available.
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on Guilford Street.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located off Guilford Street.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 104cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 85cm.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 134cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • This entrance gives access to the street level of the hospital.

Lift (Morgan Stanley Building - Lift 5)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right, as you enter the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 7m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • Levels S and 2 can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 2,000kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a low colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 150cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 148cm (width) x 276cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a list of floor services/facilities, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and an intercom hearing assistance system.
    • The lift has a separate door to exit.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • There are other lifts available at this location which vary in size.

Lift (Morgan Stanley/ Premier Inn - Lift 2)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right, as you enter the Premier Inn Clinical Building via Level 2.
  • The distance from the Premier Inn Clinical Building entrance is 4m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5 ,6, and 7 can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 1,900kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a medium colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 130cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 150cm (width) x 256cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a medium colour contrast.
    • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a list of floor services/facilities, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Reception (Elephant Ward)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located immediately beyond the Elephant Ward entrance and to the right.
    • The reception point is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the Elephant Ward entrance.
    • Clear signage for the reception area/desk is not 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 no 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 high (110cm+).
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a bell to attract attention.
    • There is a hearing assistance system.
    • The type of system is a portable loop.
    • The hearing assistance system is not signed.
    • Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
  • 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 vinyl/laminate.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
    • No tables are permanently fixed.
    • The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
    • There is not a television.
    • Vending machines are not available.
    • A water dispenser is not available.
    • There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
    • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.

Ward (Elephant Ward)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an Haematology and Oncology ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 0 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 13 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 13 bed(s) on this ward in total.
  • Ward Access View
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 156cm (5ft 1in).
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • There is no clear signage on the ward.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is some flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 106cm.
    • There is a lowered section.
    • The height of the lowered section of the desk is 73cm.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • Relatives' Room View
    • There is a relatives' room for the ward.
    • The width of the door opening into the relatives' room is over 75cm.
    • There is a clear turning space in the relatives' room.
    • There is not a/are not chair(s) with armrests available within the relatives' room.
  • Example Side Room View
    • There are no side rooms available with an accessible ensuite.
    • The side room surveyed does not have an accessible ensuite.
    • The width of the door opening into the side room is over 75cm.
    • The side room surveyed does not have a ceiling track hoist.
    • There is sufficient space next to the bed for a mobile hoist to operate.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
    • Bedside storage is available.
    • The visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is high.
    • The lighting levels in the side room are moderate to good.
    • The width of the door opening into the ensuite is under 75cm.
    • There is not a clear unobstructed turning space within the ensuite.
    • The fixtures/facilities available in the ensuite include; a bath, a shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
    • The visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the ensuite is high.
    • The lighting levels in the ensuite are good.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • A hearing assistance system is not available on the ward.
    • The ward does not play background music.
    • There is not a chair with armrests on both sides.
    • A mobile hoist is not available on the ward.
  • Visitor Facilities View
    • There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located on Level 2 of Variety Club Building.
    • There are standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
  • Visiting Times View
    • Visitors are welcome on Elephant Ward. However, visitors are asked to leave by 9pm so that children and families on the ward can rest.
  • Comments View
    • The side room toilet facilities are also available for family and friends of the patient to use.

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