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Great Western Ward

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Great Western Ward)

  • The most accessible route from the South Wharf Road parking has a dropped kerb, uneven surfaces and a very easy slope.
  • Access to Great Western Ward is via the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother building entrance.
  • There is not a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • Great Western Ward is located on the seventh floor of the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother building.
  • Great Western Ward is approximately 30m from the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother building main lift bank.
  • Enter via the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother building entrance and proceed ahead past the main reception desk.
    Turn right into the lift lobby, and take a lift to the seventh floor.
    On exiting the lift, head in the direction signed to Great Western Ward.
    The entrance to Great Western Ward is ahead.
  • Internally the most accessible route has step-free level access, doors permanently held open and a lift.
  • Some flooring along the route is shiny and patterned.
  • There are not resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • View more information on getting to and around the hospital (opens new tab).

Parking (South Wharf Road)

Entrance (Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Building)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, on South Wharf Road.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is 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 open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 152cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • 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 153cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 124cm.
  • The height of the intercom at the second set of doors is 113cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Building.

Lift (Main Lift Bank)

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead and to the right past the reception as you enter via the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • The ground to tenth floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium 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 145cm (width) x 272cm (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 mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which vary in size.
  • There are 7 lifts in total in this area.

Ward (Great Western Ward)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a paediatric ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There are 4 bays available.
    • There are 11 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 a buzzer at a height of 122cm.
    • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 115cm.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 142cm.
    • There are double automatic doors with a high visual contrast.
    • The doors open away from you.
    • The width of the opening is 147cm.
  • 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 visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • 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 105cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the desk.
    • The height of the lowered section is 73cm.
    • The desk has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
    • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • Seating available on the ward includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
    • The hoist is mobile.
    • There is a relatives' room for the ward.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: a toilet with adaptations, washrooms and a standard toilet.
    • The following facilities are available for visitors: a toilet with adaptations, washrooms and a standard toilet.
    • Parents and visitors are able to use any of the ward bathrooms and toilets, unless they are signed as being specifically designated for a particular patient.
  • Visiting Hours View

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Great Western Ward)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located opposite cubicle 7.
    • The toilet with adaptations has no transfer space available.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located by bay A, and cubicles 8.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the washrooms by cubicles 3 and 6.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The washroom facilities which have adaptations are located by cubicles 3, 6 and 11.
    • Standard shower facilities are located opposite cubicle 11.

Seating Area (Waiting Area)

  • Location and Access View
    • The waiting area is along the left hand corridor from reception.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
    • The door has a locked extension leaf.
    • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request .
    • The door opens away from you.
    • The width of the opening is 88cm.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is not 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 benches.
    • Some chairs are fixed.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lounge (The Play Space)

  • The lounge is located opposite the main reception desk.
  • There is step-free level access into the lounge.
  • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
  • The doors open inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 141cm.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The flooring is patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the lounge includes: benches and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the lounge includes: tables.
  • 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 is a TV with subtitles.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Standard Bedroom (Cubicle 2)

  • The bedroom surveyed is located along the corridor to the left after reception.
  • The most accessible route to the bedroom has step-free level access.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens inwards and has a medium visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 136cm.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The following is available in this bedroom: an armchair.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • The room has a cot.
    The cot is height adjustable.
    There is a wash basin in the cubicle with lever taps.
    The height of the wash basin is 79cm.

Bathroom with Adaptations (Shower Room)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located by cubicle 3.
    • The distance from the Grand Western Ward entrance is 25m.
    • 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 285cm (width) x 315cm (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 .
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 68cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • The lateral transfer space on the right is 110cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the right transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the left as you face the toilet.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 47cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 122cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 75cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • There are no vertical grab rails at the wash basin.
    • 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 111cm 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 114cm 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 full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The bathroom has a pedal bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 129cm from the floor.
    • 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 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.
    • The height of the baby change table when extended is 91cm.

Bathroom with Adaptations (Bathroom)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located opposite cubicle 11.
    • The distance from the Grand Western Ward entrance is 30m.
    • 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 inwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 349cm (width) x 260cm (depth) and there is 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 no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
    • The toilet seat is 43cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low 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 88cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 89cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • There are no vertical grab rails at the wash basin.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 96cm 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 111cm 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 sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 165cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
    • The bathroom has a standard bath.
    • The height of the side of the bath from floor level is 56cm.
    • The bath controls are lever mixer.

Toilet with Adaptations (Female - No Transfer Space)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located opposite cubicle 7.
    • The distance from the Grand Western Ward entrance is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 75cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 160cm (width) x 160cm (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 no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
    • The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low 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 89cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 84cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • There are no vertical grab rails at the wash basin.
    • 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 102cm 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 108cm 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 cubicle has a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 166cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.