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MRI

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (MRI)

  • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking bays on South Wharf Road has bollards, uneven surfaces, step-free level access and a dropped kerb.
  • View further information about parking at the hospital (opens new tab).
  • Access to MRI is via the Cambridge Building Main Entrance - Norfolk Place.
  • There is not a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • MRI is located on the lower ground floor of the Cambridge Building.
  • MRI is approximately 33m from the Cambridge Building Lift 13.
  • Enter the Cambridge Building via the Cambridge Building Main Entrance - Norfolk Place, and bypass the stepped level change by using the Accessible Lift.
    Take Lift 13 to the Lower Ground Floor.
    Turn right out of the lift and then turn left along the corridor.
    MRI is at the far end of this corridor.
  • Internally the most accessible route has doors permanently held open, a platform lift, narrow walkways and step-free level access.
  • 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 (MRI)

  • Location and Access View
    • MRI is located on the lower ground floor of the Cambridge Building.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free access via ramp into this area.
    • The ramp has a slight gradient.
    • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
    • There is an intercom at a height of 139cm.
    • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 132cm.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 119cm.
    • 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 away from you.
    • The width of the opening is 86cm.
    • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 129cm.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • There are 2 consultation/medical rooms available.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and chairs with armrests.
    • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested, however it was not working at the time of the survey.
    • The hoist is powered overhead.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: a toilet with adaptations.

Toilet and Changing Facilities (MRI)

Reception (MRI)

  • The reception is located immediately to the right as you enter the MRI department.
  • The distance from the MRI entrance is 9m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 73cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested, however it was not 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, with unshaded light sources.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • There is 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 with armrests and chairs without armrests.

Imaging Room (MRI)

  • The room surveyed was; Room MR2.
  • The room is located straight ahead through the doors as you enter the MRI department.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • Changing Room View
    • There is step-free level access into the changing room.
    • There is a curtain opening to access the changing room.
    • The width of the opening is 95cm.
    • The dimensions of the changing room are 95cm (width) x 101cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There are no wall mounted grab rails.
    • There is a seated bench available.
    • The seat/chair is 45cm from the floor.
    • There is an assistance bell at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a push button emergency alarm.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 138cm and 144cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • There are 2 changing rooms with similar specifications; however, the changing room on the left has an opening width of 70cm.
  • Imaging Room View
    • There is written text and numbered signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into the room.
    • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The width of the opening is 122cm.
    • 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 190cm.
    • The hoist is powered overhead and accesses the treatment table.
    • Seating available in the room includes: high stools, chairs with armrests and stools.
    • There is a portable hearing assistance system on request.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested, however it was not working at the time of the survey.
    • There is background noise in this room.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the reception area, to the left as you face the reception desk.
    • The distance from the department entrance is 11m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has manual doors, step-free level access and narrow walkways.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is a door to enter a lobby before the toilet with adaptations.
      The lobby door opens away from you (push), with a width of 85cm, and has a high colour contrast.
    • 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.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 158cm (width) x 248cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 68cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 47cm 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 90cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 86cm 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 101cm 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 133cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a push button emergency alarm.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.