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Maternity Day Assessment Unit

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Maternity Day Assessment Unit)

  • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking bays on South Wharf Road has step-free level access, a dropped kerb, uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • View further information about parking at the hospital (opens new tab).
  • Access to the Maternity Day Assessment Unit is via the Cambridge Building Main Entrance - Norfolk Place.
  • There is not a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • The Maternity Day Assessment Unit is located on the first floor of the Clarence Building.
  • The Maternity Day Assessment Unit is approximately 9m from the Lift (16).
  • Enter the Cambridge Building via the Cambridge Building Main Entrance - Norfolk Place, and bypass the stepped level change if necessary 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 first floor.
    Exit the lift, turn right, and the Maternity Day Assessment Unit is straight ahead.
  • Internally the most accessible route has narrow walkways, manual doors, doors permanently held open, a slight ramp or slope, a platform lift and a lift.
  • 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; standard toilets and 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.

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.

Department / Service (Maternity Day Assessment Unit)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Maternity Day Assessment Unit is located on the first floor of the Clarence Building.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • There is stepped access into this area.
    • There are 6 steps with 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 steps are clearly marked.
    • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
    • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is an intercom at a height of 127cm.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 124cm.
    • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
    • The door opens away from you.
    • The width of the opening is 74cm.
    • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 100cm.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
    • 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.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • There are 3 consultation/medical rooms available.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee 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: a standard toilet.

Reception (Maternity Day Assessment Unit)

  • The reception is located immediately to the right at the top of the steps as you enter the Maternity Day Assessment Unit.
  • The distance from the department entrance is 7m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 94cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds, glazed screens and windows.
  • There is a portable hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Consultation / Medical Room (Consulting Room 1)

  • There are 2 consultation/medical rooms available.
  • The room surveyed was; Consulting Room 1.
  • The room is located immediately to the left at the top of the steps as you enter the Maternity Day Assessment Unit.
  • 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 124cm.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door has a locked extension leaf.
  • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 87cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • Furniture can be moved to enable a manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is not 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 185cm.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Consultation / Medical Room (Bays 1-4)

  • There is 1 consultation/medical room available.
  • The room surveyed was; Bays 1-4.
  • The room is located diagonally to the left at the top of the steps as you enter the Maternity Day Assessment Unit.
  • 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 125cm.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door has a locked extension leaf.
  • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 87cm.
  • 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.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests and chairs with armrests.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Standard Toilet Facilities

  • The female standard toilet facilities were surveyed.
  • The toilet is located to the right and right again at the top of the steps as you enter the Maternity Day Assessment Unit.
  • The distance from the department entrance is 9m.
  • The most accessible route has steps and narrow walkways.
  • There is step-free level access into the toilet.
  • There is pictorial, written text and Braille signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • There are no ambulant toilet facilities available.
  • There is a wash basin, a wall mounted soap dispenser and a wall mounted towel dispenser available.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • The facility was out of order when surveyed, with no taps at the wash basin (June 2025).