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Octav Botnar Wing Entrance

Great Ormond Street Hospital, Great Ormond Street, 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 encourage, where possible, that visitors travel by walking or taking public transport to minimise air pollution and help the patients to breathe better.
    • There is no onsite parking at the hospital site with very limited on street parking in the surrounding roads. Construction works at the hospital from July 2015 to early 2018 will limit parking availability on the roads surrounding the hospital particularly Guilford Street. 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.

Outside Access (Octav Botnar Wing Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located in Lamb's Conduit Street.
    • The entrance area/door is not 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.
    • The intercom is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 166cm.
  • Comments View
    • This entrance gives access to Level 1.
    • Access to the hospital from this entrance is via steps or lift.

Other Floors (Octav Botnar Wing Entrance)

  • Stairs View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, 2.
    • 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 not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are not 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 not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Lift (Octav Botnar Wing Entrance)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located immediately beyond the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the Octav Botnar Wing 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.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do not contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is good.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 100cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 100cm x 180cm.
  • There are 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 not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift control buttons range from 83cm to 110cm in height.
  • 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.

Entrance (Internal Access)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on Level 2 of the hospital.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is no hand sanitiser at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 154cm.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located on Level 2 of the hospital.
    • The reception point is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the entrance lift.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the lift.
    • There is step free access to the reception point, via lift.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are not 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.
    • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low section of the desk.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is a hearing assistance system.
    • The type of system is a portable loop.
    • The hearing assistance system is not signed.
    • Staff are not trained to use the system.
    • The touch screen is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a touch screen.
    • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are provided in the reception area.
  • 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 sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There are two seater sofas and armchairs.
    • No tables are permanently fixed.
    • The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
    • There is a television.
    • Vending machines are not available.
    • There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There are also two children's chairs with armrests on both sides in the reception waiting area.
    • The hearing loop system was not working at the time of the survey.

Getting Around (Octav Botnar Wing)

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl.
    • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • Handrails are not provided in corridors.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Signage and Wayfinding View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
    • Dementia friendly signage is provided.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in public areas.
    • The system is a portable loop.
    • The hearing assistance system is available only on request.

Other Floors

  • 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 the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
    • 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 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 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

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located past reception on the right.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) 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, 7.
  • 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 not contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is good.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is poor.
  • The clear door width is 108cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 160cm x 140cm.
  • 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 not have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift controls are 76cm to 112cm in height.
  • 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.

Accessible Toilet

  • The nearest accessible toilet facilities are located at the Lagoon Restaurant.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • The nearest standard toilet facilities are located at the Lagoon Restaurant.

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