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Valentine Ellis Ward

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Valentine Ellis Ward)

  • The most accessible route from the South Wharf Road parking has a very easy slope, a dropped kerb and uneven surfaces.
  • Access to Valentine Ellis Ward is via the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother building entrance.
  • There is not a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • Valentine Ellis Ward is located on the eighth floor of the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother building.
  • Valentine Ellis Ward is approximately 20m from the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother building main lift bank.
  • Enter via the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother building entrance and proceed ahead past the main reception desk.
    Turn right into the lift lobby and take a lift to the eighth floor.
    On exiting the lift, go through the doors signed to Valentine Ellis Ward.
    The entrance to Valentine Ellis Ward is then ahead and on the left.
  • Internally the most accessible route has doors permanently held open, step-free level access, a lift and manual doors.
  • Some flooring along the route is shiny and patterned.
  • There are not 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 left hand transfer).
  • View more information on getting to and around the hospital (opens new tab).

Parking (South Wharf Road)

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.

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.

Ward (Valentine Ellis Ward)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a trauma ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There are 4 bays available.
    • There are 4 side rooms available.
    • There are 20+ beds in total on the ward.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this ward.
    • There is a buzzer at a height of 136cm.
    • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 132cm.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 109cm.
    • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
    • The doors open towards you.
    • The width of the opening is 146cm.
    • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 125cm.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
    • 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 and dementia-friendly signage is provided.
    • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • Reception / Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the desk is 106cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the desk.
    • The height of the lowered section is 90cm.
    • The desk has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
    • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • The hoist is mobile.
    • There is not a relatives' room for the ward.
    • The following facilities are available for patients: washrooms.
    • The nearest toilet with adaptations for visitors is located on the ground floor of the building, opposite the security office and round the corner.
  • Visiting Hours View

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Valentine Ellis Ward)

Bathroom with Adaptations (Shower Room)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located opposite Bay G.
    • The most accessible route to the bathroom has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the bathroom.
    • There is pictorial, written text and dementia friendly signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • 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 bathroom are 275cm (width) x 235cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 129cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 44cm 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 100cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 90cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • There are no vertical grab rails at the wash basin.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 127cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 115cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The bathroom has a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 135cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • The bathroom has a wheel-in shower.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is a shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails for the shower.
    • The shower grab rails have a high visual contrast.