Access Guide
Getting To The Hospital
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By Road
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- 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. 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.
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By Bus
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- Several bus routes are a short walk from GOSH, and low-floor, wheelchair accessible buses run on all routes.
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By Train
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- 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.
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By Underground
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- The nearest tube station is Russell Square which is approximately 0.3 miles away. Russell Square is on the Piccadilly line.
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Useful Links
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- The GoSH webpage for information on travelling to the hospital.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- The Transport for London website.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
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 (The Possum Ward)
- The Possum Ward is/are located on level 5 of the Morgan Stanley/Premier Inn Clinical Building.
- Access to the Possum Ward is via the hospital main entrance.
- Enter via the Main Hospital Entrance, continue past the main reception and turn right into the main corridor. Continue along the corridor to the Morgan Stanley/Premier Inn Clinical Building. Enter the lift lobby through the automatic doors and take the lifts to Level 5. Exit the lift, go through the double doors and Possum Ward is located on the right.
- There is step free access to the Possum Ward.
- The Possum Ward is approximately 18m from the Morgan Stanley/Premier Inn Clinical Building lifts.
- There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the Morgan Stanley/Premier Inn Clinical Building lifts and the department/service.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is provided.
- There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
Outside Access (Main Hospital Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located in Great Ormond 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 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 240cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 244cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Comments
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- There are bollards at the start of the walkway that lead up to the entrance from Great Ormond Street.
- The bollards do not have a good colour contrast with the paving.
Other Floors (Morgan Stanley/Premier Inn Clinical Building)
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Stairs
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- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
- There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
- 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 not provided on landings.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Comments
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- These stairs are in a staff area but can be used by public if necessary whilst building work is being carried out.
Lift (Morgan Stanley/Premier Inn Clinical Building - Lifts 1 and 2)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located off the main Level 2 corridor.
- Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 110m (120yd 11in) 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 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 low.
- The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
- The clear door width is 148cm.
- The dimensions of the lift are 140cm x 270cm.
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is not 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 good.
Ward (The Possum Ward)
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Ward Information
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- This is a/an neurology ward.
- This is a shared ward.
- There is/are 8 side room(s) available.
- There is/are 8 bed(s) on this ward in total.
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Ward Access
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- 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 170cm (5ft 7in).
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 116cm (3ft 10in).
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 133cm (4ft 4in).
- There is a door release button when exiting.
- The height of the door release button is 183cm (6ft).
- There is level access throughout the ward.
- There is 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.
- There is flooring on the ward which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- The lighting levels are varied.
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Reception/Nurses' Station
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- The height of the ward reception desk is 110cm.
- There is a lowered section.
- The height of the lowered section of the desk is 76cm.
- There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
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Relatives' Room
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- 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.
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Example Side Room
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- There are multiple side rooms available with accessible ensuites.
- 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 have a ceiling track hoist.
- The hoist covers the bed and the toilet.
- 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 colour 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 over 75cm.
- There is not a clear unobstructed turning space within the ensuite.
- The fixtures/facilities available in the ensuite include; a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the ensuite is high.
- The lighting levels in the ensuite are moderate to good.
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Ward Features and Patient Facilities
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- A hearing assistance system is not available on the ward.
- The ward does not play background music.
- There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
- A mobile hoist is not available on the ward.
- There are washroom facilities for patients on the ward.
- There are toilet facilities for patients on the ward.
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Visitor Facilities
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- There are accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
- Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located on Level 2 of the Morgan Stanley Clinical Building.
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Visiting Times
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- There are no set visiting times for parents and siblings. All other visitors are to adhere to the ward visiting hours of 10am - 7.30pm.
Washroom (Ensuite Toilet and Shower)
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Washroom Details
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- The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
- There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
- This washroom is interchangeable between male and female.
- There is pictorial and 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 may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 84cm (2ft 9in).
- The dimensions of the washroom are 199cm x 197cm (6ft 6in x 6ft 6in).
- 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 within reach and fully functional.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
- There is not a coat hook in the washroom.
- There is a mirror.
- There is 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 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 100cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 130cm.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The washroom has a non-slip floor.
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Toilet Details
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- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is a rail with a padded back rest.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 138cm.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- 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 96cm.
- There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
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Shower Details
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- There is a wheel in shower.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The shower control type is lever.
- There is no seat for the shower.
- There are wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
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Bath Details
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- There is not a bath.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is high.
- The colour 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 high.
- The colour contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is high.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
Toilet with Adaptations (Visitor Toilet - Left Hand Transfer)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is located in the foyer outside the ward entrance.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the ward entrance.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 145cm x 208cm (4ft 9in x 6ft 10in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 76cm (2ft 6in).
- The lateral transfer space was obstructed at the time of the survey.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- The tap type is sensor.
- There is not a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
- The alarm did not sound when tested.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are female sanitary and waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
- There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the cubicle.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The shelf is higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
- There is a mirror.
- Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is not a hand dryer.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 137cm (4ft 6in).
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 113cm.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Baby Changing Facilities
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- Baby changing facilities are available within this accessible toilet.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 90cm (2ft 11in).