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St Mary's Hospital - Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Building

Praed Street, Paddington, London, W2 1NY

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Access Guide

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Overview (Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Building)

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Building)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the ground floor of the building, opposite the security office and round the corner.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground and second floor of the building.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the female toilet facilities on the ground floor of the building.

Parking (South Wharf Road)

Parking (Winsland Street)

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.

Reception (Main Reception)

  • The reception is located immediately ahead as you enter the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 6m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 115cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • 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 background noise in this area.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • 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.
  • The seating is fixed.

Getting Around (Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Building)

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: a very slight ramp with handrails on both sides for access to the first floor of the Cambridge Building from the second floor of the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Building via the link bridge.
  • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • 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 and chairs without armrests.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • There is internal access to the Cambridge, Clarence and Mary Stanford Buildings via the link bridge on the second floor of the 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.

Stairs (Main Staircase)

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead and on the right as you pass the lift lobby area.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The ground to tenth floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not 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 18cm.
  • 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.
  • There is a similar set of stairs on the other side of the lift lobby at each end of the building.
    The doors to exit the stairwell on some floors are for staff only as they access restricted areas of the building.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor of the building, opposite the security office and round the corner.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 19m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and narrow walkways.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • Access to the toilet is via a radar key which can be obtained from the main reception desk.
    • 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 88cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a low 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 186cm (width) x 215cm (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 116cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush on the wall above the cistern.
    • 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.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • 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 91cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm 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 84cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 97cm from the floor.
    • 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 cubicle has a sanitary bin and 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.