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St Mary's Hospital - Clarence Building

Praed Street, Paddington, London, W2 1NY

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Access Guide

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Overview (Clarence Building)

  • About View
    • Services available in the venue include: Multi-Faith and Muslim Prayer Rooms, MR Therapy, Maternity Day Assessment Unit, Labour Ward, Postnatal Ward, Neonatal Intensive Care and Almroth Wright Ward.
    • View information on opening times
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is stepped access at the most accessible entrance.
    • The main entrance off Praed Street has stepped access only.
      Step-free access is via the Cambridge Building main entrance which is located on Norfolk Place, then by taking the lift (to bypass the stairs) to the ground floor and following the corridor on the left until you reach the ground floor entrance into the Clarence Building.
      There are internal entrances from the Cambridge Building to the Clarence Building on the ground, lower ground and second floor of the building.
      There is an internal entrance into the Clarence Building from the lower ground floor of the Mary Standford Building.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, 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 on the ground floor of the Clarence Building to the ground floor of the Cambridge Building, a slight ramp with handrails on both sides from the lower ground floor of the Clarence Building to the lower ground floor of the Cambridge Building, a slight ramp with no handrails along the lower ground floor of the building to the left as you exit the lift towards the toilet facilities, a steep ramp with handrails on both sides on the lower ground floor corridor from the lower ground floor of the Mary Stanford Building and a slight ramp without handrails to the right as you exit the lifts on the third floor of the building, before the link bridge to the second floor of the Cambridge Building.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
    • The lower ground to fifth floors can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
    • There is not a toilet with adaptations available.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is no hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
    • 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 (Clarence Building)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The male step-free toilet facilities are located along the ground floor corridor of the Clarence Building.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located along the lower ground floor corridor of the Clarence Building.

Parking (Winsland Street)

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.

Entrance (Clarence Building - Praed Street)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, on Praed Street.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is stepped access at the entrance.
  • There are 7 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The step markings are not clearly visible.
  • 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.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 146cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors.
  • The second set of doors open both ways.
  • The width of the opening is 148cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is stepped access as you enter.
  • There are 10 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails do not 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 step is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the Clarence Building.

Getting Around (Clarence 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 on the ground floor of the Clarence Building to the ground floor of the Cambridge Building, a slight ramp with handrails on both sides from the lower ground floor of the Clarence Building to the lower ground floor of the Cambridge Building, a slight ramp with no handrails along the lower ground floor of the building to the left as you exit the lift towards the toilet facilities, a steep ramp with handrails on both sides on the lower ground floor corridor from the lower ground floor of the Mary Stanford Building and a slight ramp without handrails to the right as you exit the lifts on the third floor of the building, before the link bridge to the second floor of the Cambridge Building.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of walkways.
  • Some of the walls have a reflective finish.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • 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: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests and benches.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • There is a link bridge to the second floor of the Cambridge Building located on the third floor of the Clarence Building.
    The Cambridge Building can also be accessed internally on the ground and lower ground floor of the Clarence Building.
    There is internal access to the Mary Stanford Building on the lower 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.

Lift (Lift 17)

  • 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 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.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 166cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 227cm (width) x 121cm (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.
  • 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.

Stairs (Main Staircase)

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the ground floor of the Clarence Building, next to Lifts 16 and 17.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The ground, first, second, third, fourth and fifth floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked and have a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is not 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 15cm.
  • 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 and unshaded light sources.

Stairs (Ground Floor to Lower Ground Floor)

  • The stairs surveyed are located along the ground floor corridor of the Clarence Building, to the right as you enter via the Praed Street entrance.
  • 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 have low visual contrast markings and have a handrail on the right going down.
  • The handrail is not 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 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Standard Toilet Facilities (Lower Ground Floor)

  • The shared standard toilet facilities were surveyed.
  • The toilets are located on the lower ground floor corridor of the Clarence Building, to the left as you exit the lift and along the corridor on the left.
  • The distance from Lift 16 is 16m.
  • The most accessible route has a lift, a slight ramp or slope and narrow walkways.
  • There is step-free level access into the toilets.
  • There is pictorial and 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 68cm.
  • 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.
  • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.