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St Mary's Hospital - Cambridge Building

Praed Street, Paddington, London, W2 1NY

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Access Guide

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Overview (Cambridge Building)

  • About View
    • Services available in the venue include: Maternity Ultrasound, Maternity Fetal Medicine, Birth Centre, Nutrition and Dietetics, MRI, Gym, Occupational Therapy 1 and 2, Rodney Porter Ward, Discharge Lounge/Grafton Ward, Children's Clinical Research Facility, Witherow Ward and Thistlethwayte Ward.
    • View information on opening times
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free level access via lift at the most accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible entrance is located at the front of the building on Norfolk Place and has step-free access via very easy slope and a platform lift.
      There is alternative entrance with steep ramped access to the ground floor of the building, along Norfolk Place with manual doors along the route.
    • There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: a slight ramp with no handrails from the ground floor of the Cambridge Building to the ground floor of the Clarence Building, a slight ramp with no handrails on the lower ground floor corridor next to the lifts, a slight ramp with handrails on both sides from the lower ground floor of the Cambridge Building to the lower ground floor of the Clarence Building, a slight ramp with no handrails from the first floor of the Cambridge Building to the first floor of the Mary Stanford Building, a very easy ramp with handrails on both sides along the link bridge from the first floor of the Cambridge Building to the second floor of the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Building, and a slight ramp with no handrails after the link bridge on the second floor of the Cambridge Building to the third floor of the Clarence Building.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors, doors permanently held open, automatic doors and narrow walkways.
    • The lower ground to fourth floors can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
    • There are no patient facilities on the fourth floor of the building.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: Braille (on request), large print (on request) and different languages (on request).
    • There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.
    • Staff receive the following training: disability awareness training.
  • Related Access Guides View

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Cambridge Building)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the ground floor of the Cambridge Building, ahead and to the right after the lift lobby.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.

Parking (South Wharf Road)

Parking (Winsland Street)

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 (Cambridge Building Ramped Entrance - Norfolk Place)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, on Norfolk Place.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and a bollard.
  • 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 ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 132cm.
  • There is a single manual gate at this entrance.
  • The gate is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 121cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The gate has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second single manual door.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 101cm.
  • The second door has 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 a handrail on the right going up.
  • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the Cambridge Building.

Reception (Cambridge Building)

  • The reception is located to the left as you enter via the Cambridge Building main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 4m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 113cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 83cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed 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.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.

Getting Around (Cambridge Building)

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of walkways, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: a slight ramp with no handrails from the ground floor of the Cambridge Building to the ground floor of the Clarence Building, a slight ramp with no handrails on the lower ground floor corridor next to the lifts, a slight ramp with handrails on both sides from the lower ground floor of the Cambridge Building to the lower ground floor of the Clarence Building, a slight ramp with no handrails from the first floor of the Cambridge Building to the first floor of the Mary Stanford Building, a very easy ramp with handrails on both sides along the link bridge from the first floor of the Cambridge Building to the second floor of the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Building, and a slight ramp with no handrails after the link bridge on the second floor of the Cambridge Building to the third floor of the Clarence Building.
  • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open, automatic doors and narrow walkways.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • There is background noise in some areas of the venue.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: benches.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • There is internal access to the third floor of the Clarence Building from the second floor of the Cambridge Building via link bridge.
    There is internal access to the second floor of the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Building via a link bridge on the first floor of the Cambridge Building.
    There is internal access to the Clarence Building via corridors on the lower ground, ground and second floor of the Cambridge Building.
    There is internal access to the Mary Stanford Building on the lower ground and first floor of the Cambridge Building.

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.

Stairs (Main Staircase)

  • The stairs surveyed are located straight ahead and to the right as you enter via the Cambridge Building main entrance.
  • The ground, first and second floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have some clear markings and have 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 height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Stairs (Ground Floor to Lower Ground Floor)

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the ground floor of the building, to the right after the lift lobby area.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • The ground and lower ground floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have 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 height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Stairs (Second Floor to Third Floor)

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the second floor of the building, directly ahead from the main staircase.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • The second and third floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have low visual contrast markings and have a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • These stairs are used to access Rodney Porter Ward only.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor of the Cambridge Building, ahead and to the right after the lift lobby.
    • The distance from the accessible lift is 15m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 93cm.
    • The door has a 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 cubicle are 184cm (width) x 225cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 120cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • 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 48cm 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 98cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm 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 can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 93cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer which requires hands to be inserted into the top.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 99cm from the floor.
    • There is no 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 high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.