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Giraffe Ward

Great Ormond Street Hospital, Great Ormond Street, London Borough of Camden, London, WC1N 3JH

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • By Road View
    • Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is located in central London within the congestion zone. The hospital encourages, where possible, that visitors travel by walking or taking public transport.
    • There is no onsite parking at the hospital site with very limited on-street parking in the surrounding roads.
      Visitors who use the permit system to park here may not be able to find a parking space.
      The hospital encourages people to use public transport but if this is not possible they advise using local car parks.
  • By Bus View
    • Several bus routes are a short walk from GOSH, and low-floor, wheelchair accessible buses run on all routes.
  • By Train View
    • Kings Cross, Euston and Farringdon Station are all approximately 1 mile from Great Ormond Street. The hospital website gives information on options for getting to the hospital from various surrounding stations. The link can be found below.
  • By Underground View
    • The nearest tube station is Russell Square which is approximately 0.3 miles away. Russell Square is on the Piccadilly line.
  • 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 in the main reception area.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 020 7829 7862.
  • 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 and at key corridor intersections.
  • Hospital staff receive deaf awareness training.
  • The alternative formats documents can be provided in 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 and volunteers in the main reception area.

Public Parking

  • There is no car park or official drop-off point at Great Ormond Street Hospital. The trust advise that parking in nearby streets is both scarce and expensive. Drivers will need to pay the congestion charge to enter central London. The hospital encourage patients to travel to the hospital by public transport or by walking where possible in order to maintain a Clear Air Zone for patients.
  • Blue Badge holders can park in resident parking bays, pay and display spaces or at parking meters free of charge and without a time limit. They can also park on single yellow lines for a maximum of three hours (this only applies in the immediate area of the hospital).
  • There are some on street Blue Badge parking bays in Queen Square which are approximately 200 metres from the main entrance.
  • The dimensions of these bays are 200cm x 630cm.
  • For some parents travelling by car, the hospital may be able to provide a parking permit for a few hours for the day of their child’s appointment, admission or discharge. Parents of children in intensive care are eligible for a parking permit for up to three days in succession. The permit allows you to park on a single yellow line on Guilford Street only. Spaces are limited, are offered on a first come first served basis, and we cannot guarantee a space through issuing a permit. Parking elsewhere will make the permit invalid and put you at risk of getting a parking ticket.

Getting To (Giraffe Ward)

  • Giraffe Ward is/are located on Level 6 of the Variety Club Building.
  • Access to Giraffe 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 lift 1, 2 or 3 to Level 6.
    On exiting turn right into the main corridor and turn right again at the double manual doors.
    Follow the white corridor and the entrance to the Giraffe Ward is located on the left.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Giraffe Ward.
  • Giraffe Ward is approximately 94m from the main hospital entrance.
  • There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the Variety Club Building lifts 1, 2 and 3 on level 6 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.

Outside Access (Main Hospital Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located off Guilford Street.
    • 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/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The intercom is in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 134cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Other Floors (Morgan Stanley - Street Level to Level 2)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are street level and level 2.
    • 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 extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is not a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are low to moderate.

Other Floors (Variety Club Building)

  • Stairs View
    • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
    • 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 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 extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a second lower handrail.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Lift (Morgan Stanley - Lift 5)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located just beyond the main entrance to the right.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main 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 S (street level) and 2.
  • 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.
  • 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 149cm (4ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 148cm x 276cm (4ft 10in x 9ft 1in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in 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.

Lift (Morgan Stanley - Lift 6)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located just beyond the main entrance, to the right.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main 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 S (street level) and 2.
  • 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.
  • 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 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 113cm x 177cm (3ft 8in x 5ft 10in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in 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 not a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Lift (Variety Club Building - Lifts 1, 2 and 3)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the corridor to the rear of reception.
  • The lift is approximately 65m (71yd 3in) from the main 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 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
  • 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.
  • 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 130cm (4ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 160cm x 270cm (5ft 3in x 8ft 10in).
  • 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 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 not a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.

Entrance (Giraffe Ward- Unit Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on Level 6 of the Variety Club Building.
    • 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 a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 124cm (4ft 1in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 165cm.

Ward (Giraffe Ward)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an cancer and leukaemia ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 0 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 6 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 6 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) both ways.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 166cm (5ft 5in).
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • There is no clear signage on the ward.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the Nurses' Station desk is 107cm.
    • There is not a lowered section.
    • 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 a/are chair(s) with armrests available within the relatives' room.
  • Example Side Room View
    • There are no side rooms available with 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 room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
    • Bedside storage is not available.
    • The visual contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is high.
    • The lighting levels in the side room are varied.
    • The width of the door opening into the ensuite is over 75cm.
    • There is not a clear unobstructed turning space within the ensuite.
    • The fixtures/facilities available in the ensuite include; a bath, 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 available on the ward.
    • There are washroom facilities for patients on the ward.
    • There are toilet facilities for patients 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 the Variety Club Building.
    • There are standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
  • Visiting Times View
    • Visitors are welcome on Giraffe Ward. However, visitors are asked to leave by 9pm so that children and families on the ward can rest.
  • Comments View
    • The relatives room is shared with Lion Ward.
    • The sideroom toilet facilities are also available for family and friends of the patient to use.

Washroom (Giraffe Ward Room 3- Ensuite)

  • Washroom Details View
    • The washroom surveyed has a bath, a toilet and a wash basin.
    • There is/are 7 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
    • The washroom surveyed is located along the main Giraffe Ward corridor, opposite the nurse's station.
    • There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
    • This washroom is shared.
    • There is written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
    • The washroom door(s) open(s) outwards.
    • The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm (2ft 8in).
    • The dimensions of the washroom are 102cm x 153cm (3ft 4in x 5ft).
    • The washroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is tied up and out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s) 176cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin is 81cm.
    • There are no wall-mounted grab rails for the wash basin.
    • The tap type is lever. It is not a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 97cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 144cm.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • There is a/are pedal bin disposal units.
    • The washroom has a non-slip floor.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
    • The toilet has a lid obstructing the back rest/cistern/wall.
    • There is not a lateral transfer space.
    • There is a flush.
    • There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 94cm.
    • There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
  • Bath Details View
    • There is a bath.
    • The height of the side of the bath from floor level is 61cm (2ft).
    • The bath is not height adjustable.
    • The bath tap type is lever. It is a mixer tap.
    • There is a shower over/for the bath.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • There are not wall-mounted grab rails available for the bath.
    • A bath hoist is not available.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is medium.
    • The visual contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is high.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall is high.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
    • The visual contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
    • Lighting levels are good.

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