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Discharge Lounge/Grafton Ward

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Discharge Lounge/Grafton 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.
  • Access to the Discharge Lounge/Grafton Ward is via the Cambridge Building Main Entrance - Norfolk Place.
  • There is not a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • The Discharge Lounge/Grafton Ward is located on the second floor of the Cambridge building.
  • The Discharge Lounge/Grafton Ward is approximately 10m from the Cambridge Building Lift 13.
  • Enter the Cambridge Building via the Cambridge Building Main Entrance - Norfolk Place.
    Bypass the steps at the entrance if necessary using the Accessible lift.
    Exit the accessible lift, turn left and follow the corridor ahead to lift 13.
    Take Lift 13 to the second floor.
    Exit the lift and turn left.
    Follow the corridor ahead and the entrance to the Discharge Lounge/Grafton Ward is located on the left.
  • Internally the most accessible route has step-free level access, narrow walkways, manual doors, a lift, a platform lift and doors permanently held open.
  • Some flooring along the route is shiny.
  • 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).
  • 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.

Lift (Lift 13 and 14)

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead as you enter via the Cambridge Building main entrance.
  • The distance from the Cambridge Building main entrance is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access, a platform lift and manual doors.
  • The lower ground, ground, first, second, third and fourth 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 129cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 155cm (width) x 260cm (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 and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which vary in size.

Department / Service (Discharge Lounge/Grafton Ward)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Discharge Lounge/Grafton Ward is located on the second floor of the Cambridge building.
    • View information on opening times.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There is a key pad at a height of 130cm.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 136cm.
    • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
    • The door is permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 108cm.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • There is background noise in this area.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • There is 1 consultation/medical room available.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests, bariatric chairs with armrests and chairs with armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: height adjustable tables and tables.
    • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: washrooms.
    • The nearest toilet with adaptations is located on the ground floor of the Cambridge building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Discharge Lounge/Grafton Ward)

Reception (Discharge Lounge/Grafton Ward Reception)

  • The reception is located to the left as you enter the Discharge Lounge/Grafton Ward.
  • The distance from the Discharge Lounge/Grafton Ward entrance is 3m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 115cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 77cm.
  • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lounge (Patients Lounge)

  • The lounge is located to the right as you enter the Discharge Lounge/Grafton Ward.
  • There is step-free level access into the lounge.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the lounge includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests and bariatric chairs with armrests.
  • Furniture available in the lounge includes: tables and height adjustable tables.
  • The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is a TV with subtitles.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Consultation / Medical Room (Bay D)

  • There is 1 consultation/medical room available.
  • The room surveyed was; Bay D.
  • The room is located at the end of the corridor that is to the right of the Discharge Lounge/Grafton Ward entrance.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • The height of the hand sanitiser is 109cm.
  • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 110cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • The treatment table is free standing and height adjustable.
  • The length of the treatment table is 200cm.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests and chairs with armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: desks and tables.
  • Some furniture is fixed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Bathroom with Adaptations (Shower and Toilet)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located on the right side of the patients lounge.
    • The distance from the Discharge Lounge/Grafton Ward entrance is 10m.
    • The most accessible route to the bathroom has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the bathroom.
    • There is written text and pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 76cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 230cm (width) x 151cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is not a lateral transfer space next to the toilet.
    • There is a lever flush on the right as you face the toilet.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 43cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 99cm 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 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 85cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 142cm 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 clinical waste bin and a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • 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 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 flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 48cm 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.