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Albert Ward

St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, Paddington, London, W2 1NY

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Albert Ward)

  • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking bays on South Wharf Road has step-free level access, uneven surfaces, a dropped kerb and bollards.
  • View further information about parking at the hospital (opens new tab)
  • Access to the Albert Ward is via the Victoria and Albert Building entrance.
  • There is not a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • The Albert Ward is located on the first floor of the Victoria and Albert Building.
  • The Albert Ward is approximately 17m from the Dumbbell Building lift.
  • Enter via the Victoria and Albert Building entrance.
    Turn right and continue along the corridor until you reach the Dumbbell Building lift.
    Take the lift to the first floor.
    As you exit the lift, continue straight ahead and turn right at the end of the corridor.
    The Albert Ward is located to the left.
  • Internally the most accessible route has step-free level access, a lift and doors permanently held open.
  • Some flooring along the route is shiny .
  • There are not resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.

Entrance (Victoria and Albert Building)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the Victoria and Albert Building, off South Wharf Road.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with a handrail on the left going up.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 135cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 129cm.
  • The intercom on the left is for Albert Ward and the intercom on the right is for the Cardiac Rehabilitation Gym.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 127cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 124cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the Victoria and Albert Building.

Parking (South Wharf Road)

Lift (Dumbbell Building)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right as you enter the Victoria and Albert Building.
  • The distance from the Victoria and Albert Building entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The basement, lower ground, ground, first and second floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual 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 168cm (width) x 280cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • There are 2 control panels within the lift.
    The Cardiac Rehabilitation Gym is accessed by using the right panel and pressing 'LG'.
    The Albert Ward is accessed by using the left panel and pressing '1'.
    To exit, use the left panel and press '0'.

Stairs (Victoria and Albert Building)

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead and to the left as you enter the Victoria and Albert Building .
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The ground and first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 19 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 19cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Seating Area (Albert Ward)

  • Location and Access View
    • The seating area is located outside the Albert Ward on the first floor of the Victoria and Albert Building.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and high stools.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: high tables.
    • Some chairs are fixed.
    • The surface height of the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Ward (Albert Ward)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a surgical rehabilitation ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There are 6 bays available.
    • There are 3 side rooms available.
    • There are 20+ beds in total on the ward.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this ward.
    • There is an intercom at a height of 145cm.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 107cm.
    • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
    • The doors open towards you.
    • The width of the opening is 136cm.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Reception / Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the desk is 111cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the desk.
    • The height of the lowered section is 72cm.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • Seating available on the ward includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
    • The hoist is mobile.
    • There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: washrooms.
    • The nearest toilet with adaptations for visitors is located outside the building in the Orthopaedic and Fracture Clinic.
  • Visiting Hours View

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Albert Ward)

  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The washroom facilities which have adaptations are located within side rooms 1 and 3, and 5 washrooms with adaptations are located along the ward corridor.

Bedroom and Ensuite with Adaptations (Side Room 1)

  • Bedroom Access View
    • The bedroom surveyed is located along the Albert Ward corridor and to the left of the nurses station.
    • The most accessible route to the bedroom has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the bedroom.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
  • Bedroom Features View
    • The bedroom has a single bed.
    • Furniture can be moved to enable a manoeuvring space next to the bed (150cm x 150cm).
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • The following is available in this bedroom: a chair with armrests, a height adjustable bed and bedside plug sockets.
    • There is a push button emergency alarm.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.
    • This bedroom does not have an adjoining room.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 106cm.
  • Ensuite Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the ensuite.
    • The ensuite door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening to the ensuite is 87cm.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Ensuite Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the ensuite are 347cm (width) x 168cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 257cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 108cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 77cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 82cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The ensuite has a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
    • The ensuite has a wheel-in shower.
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are twist turn mixer.
    • There is a shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There is a grab rail for the shower.
    • The shower grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.

Bathroom with Adaptations (Shower Room)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located along the Albert Ward corridor, opposite Bay C.
    • The most accessible route to the bathroom has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the bathroom.
    • There is pictorial, written text and dementia friendly signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 203cm (width) x 330cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet, however they are obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 68cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • The lateral transfer space on the right is 76cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the left transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 87cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 81cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 103cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The bathroom has a pedal bin and a clinical waste bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • The bathroom has a wheel-in shower.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are twist turn mixer.
    • There is a shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 52cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails for the shower.
    • The shower grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.