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Witherow Ward

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Witherow Ward)

  • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking bays on South Wharf Road has a dropped kerb, a slight ramp or slope, uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • View further information about parking at the hospital (opens new tab).
  • Access to the Witherow Ward is via the Cambridge Building Main Entrance - Norfolk Place.
  • There is not a drop-off point at this entrance.
  • The Witherow Ward is located on the second floor of the Cambridge Building.
  • The Witherow Ward is approximately 13m from the Cambridge Building Lift 13.
  • Enter via the Cambridge Building Main Entrance - Norfolk Place and bypass the stepped level change, if necessary, using the Accessible Lift.
    Take lift 13 to the second floor.
    As you exit the lift, continue ahead through the double doors.
    The entrance to the Witherow Ward is on the right hand side.
  • Internally the most accessible route has a lift, step-free level access, narrow walkways, manual doors and a platform lift.
  • 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.

Ward (Witherow Ward)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is an elderly medicine ward.
    • This is a male only ward.
    • There is 1 bay available.
    • There is 1 side room available.
    • There are 11 beds in total on the ward.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is written text and pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • There is step-free level access into this ward.
    • There is an intercom at a height of 131cm.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 150cm.
    • 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 87cm.
    • A keycard is required to exit the ward.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Reception / Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the desk is 71cm.
    • The desk has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
    • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • Facilities and Services View
    • Seating available on the ward includes: chairs with armrests, armchairs and chairs without armrests.
    • 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 Cambridge Building.
  • Visiting Hours View

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Witherow Ward)

Gym (Rehab Gym)

  • The gym is located opposite the Witherow Ward entrance.
  • There is step-free level access into the gym.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 86cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The gym is staffed when open.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • There is clear manoeuvring space between equipment (150cm x 150cm).
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Bathroom with Adaptations (Toilet and Wheel in Shower)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located to the right from the Witherow Ward entrance.
    • 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 outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
    • 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 bathroom are 380cm (width) x 142cm (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 310cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever 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 high 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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 100cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 69cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin rail has 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 91cm 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 114cm 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 pedal bin and a clinical waste bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 170cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • The bathroom has a wheel-in shower.
    • There is not 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 twist turn mixer.
    • There is a flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 50cm from the floor.
    • There is a grab rail for the shower.
    • The shower grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.