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Aleck Bourne 2 - Postnatal Ward

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Aleck Bourne 2 - Postnatal 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 Aleck Bourne 2 - Postnatal Ward is via the Cambridge Building Main Entrance - Norfolk Place.
  • There is not a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • The Aleck Bourne 2 - Postnatal Ward is located on the second floor of the Clarence Building.
  • The Aleck Bourne 2 - Postnatal Ward is approximately 2m from the Lift 16.
  • Enter the Cambridge Building via the Cambridge Building Main Entrance - Norfolk Place, and bypass the stepped level change using the Accessible Lift.
    Turn left along the corridor and enter the Clarence Building via the Ground Floor Cambridge Building to Ground Floor Clarence Building entrance.
    Turn right along the corridor, and then turn right again through the doors opposite the Clarence Building - Praed Street entrance.
    Lift 16 is located on the right after this entrance.
    Take Lift 16 to the third floor.
    Exit the lift, and the Aleck Bourne 2 - Postnatal Ward is on the left.
  • Internally the most accessible route has a lift, a platform lift, a slight ramp or slope, manual doors, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
  • Some flooring along the route is shiny and patterned.
  • There are resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The following toilet facilities are available along the route; a toilet with adaptations (with right hand transfer) and standard toilets.
  • View more information on getting to and around the hospital (opens new tab).

Parking (South Wharf Road)

Entrance (Cambridge Building Main Entrance - Norfolk Place)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, on Norfolk Place.
  • 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 a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 170cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 144cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 114cm.
  • The height of the intercom at the second set of doors is 143cm.
  • There is stepped access as you enter.
  • The lift bypasses the steps.
  • There are 9 steps with no handrails.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 12cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the Cambridge Building.
    The steps after the entrance can be overcome with a platform lift, however at the time of survey, the lift was not working.
    In the event of the lift not working, there is an alternative ramped entrance off Norfolk Place.

Lift (Cambridge Building Main Entrance - Accessible Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right as you enter via the Cambridge Building main entrance.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the Cambridge Building main entrance is 8m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access, manual doors and narrow walkways.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift does not have a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • None of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 94cm.
  • The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • The lift is slow moving and the button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • At the time of survey (June 2025), the lift was out of service.

Entrance (Ground Floor Cambridge Building to Ground Floor Clarence Building)

  • This entrance is located along the ground floor corridor of the Cambridge Building.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 142cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free access via ramp as you enter.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the Clarence Building.

Lift (Lift 16)

  • The lift surveyed is located along the corridor and to the right from the Ground Floor Cambridge Building to Ground Floor Clarence Building internal entrance.
  • The distance from the Ground Floor Clarence Building internal entrance is 27m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has doors permanently held open.
  • The lower ground, ground, first, second, third, fourth and fifth 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, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • Some of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 169cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 224cm (width) x 126cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille 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 hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • This is the only lift that gives access to the lower ground floor of the Clarence Building.
    This lift is 12m from the Clarence Building - Praed Street entrance, however access at this entrance is stepped.
    Step-free access is via the Cambridge Building main entrance off Norfolk Place.

Ward (Aleck Bourne 2 - Postnatal Ward)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a female only 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 written text and pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this ward.
    • There is an intercom at a height of 141cm.
    • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 147cm.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 130cm.
    • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
    • The doors open towards you.
    • The width of the opening is 136cm.
    • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 139cm.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • 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 were even at the time of the survey.
  • Reception / Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the desk is 94cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The desk has glazed screens.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • Seating available on the ward includes: chairs with armrests.
    • There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: washrooms and standard toilets.
    • The nearest toilet with adaptations for visitors is located on the ground floor of the Cambridge Building.
  • Visiting Hours View

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Aleck Bourne 2 - Postnatal Ward)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female step-free toilet facilities are located in the East Wing of the ward, opposite Room 5.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard washroom facilities are located in the East Wing of the ward, opposite the nursery; and in the West Wing of the ward, opposite Room 9 and Room 9.3.
    • Standard shower facilities are located in the East Wing of the ward, between Rooms 5 and 6.

Standard Bathroom

  • The bathroom surveyed is located in the East Wing of the ward, opposite the Nursery.
  • The most accessible route to the bathroom has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the bathroom.
  • The bathroom door opens both ways and has a low visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
  • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
  • The dimensions of the bathroom are 284cm (width) x 199cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
  • The lateral transfer space is 103cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
  • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder, a wash basin, a wall mounted soap dispenser and a wall mounted towel dispenser available.
  • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
  • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
  • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
  • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
  • Additional features include: a mirror and an emergency alarm.
  • The bathroom has a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • The bathroom has a wheel-in shower.
  • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
  • The shower controls are twist turn mixer.
  • There is no shower seat, but one can be requested in advance.

Standard Toilet Facilities (Patient)

  • The female standard toilet facilities were surveyed.
  • The toilet is located in the East Wing of the ward, on the left hand side of the corridor.
  • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the toilet.
  • There is pictorial, written text and dementia friendly signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens inwards and has a low visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 62cm.
  • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
  • There are no ambulant toilet facilities available.
  • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser, a wash basin and a wall mounted towel dispenser available.
  • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.