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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 (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.

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.

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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