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North Wing

St Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7EH

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free.
  • The step-free approach is from the car park or drop-off point.
  • Approach from street level is step-free via long slopes with a slight or steep gradient.
  • There are 2 external entrances with the entrance on the lower ground floor from the car park being the most accessible.
  • The alternative external entrance is from the Millennium Garden, accessible from Riverside Walk next to River Thames.
  • There are also internal entrances from the main Hospital entrance, the South Wing, and 2 entrances each from the first and second floors of the Lambeth Wing.
  • The external entrance from the lower ground floor is not named but is signed North Wing.
  • The entrance from the Millennium Garden is not named or signed.
  • All internal entrances are signed North Wing.
  • The lower ground floor accessible entrance provides step-free access to the lower ground floor for the Advanced MRI Centre and the Lifts A and Stairs A.
  • The external entrance from the Millennium Garden, provides step-free access to the ground floor between North Wing and South Wing.
  • There are step-free internal entrances on the ground floor from the main Hospital reception, on the ground floor and first floors from the South Wing, and on the ground, first and second floors from the Lambeth Wing.
  • The first floor entrance from the South Wing has a long slope with a slight gradient.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish. There is patterned flooring in some department areas.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation areas and within department areas, with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • Circulation from the first floor upwards is progressively limited in terms of access due to access restricted Hospital services and patient wards.
  • Most Hospital services in the buildings require a key card for access.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 8 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor to the right of the main hospital reception, on the lower ground floor on the right after the entrance from the car park, on the first floor within the Endoscopy Unit, along the corridor towards the Endoscopy Reception. There are designated separate female and male toilets with adaptations here.
    • Further toilets with adaptations are located on the first floor within the School of Medicine, within the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science (BMEIS) on the fourth floor, along the corridor nearest the stairwell on the ninth floor, and within the Department of Women and Children's Health on the tenth floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations with a right-hand transfer are located on the lower ground floor, the ground floor, in the male standard toilet with adaptations on the first floor near the Endoscopy reception, and on the eighth and tenth floors.
    • Toilets with adaptations with a left-hand transfer are located in the female standard toilet with adaptations near the Endoscopy reception and within the School of Medicine on the first floor, and on the fourth floor.
    • The toilets with adaptations on the ground floor, in the male standard toilet with adaptations on the first floor near the Endoscopy reception and within the School of Medicine on the first floor do not have a manoeuvring space.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor to the right of the main hospital reception, and within the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science (BMEIS) on the fourth floor.
    • The female step-free toilet facilities are located within the toilets lobby in the Advanced MRI Centre on the lower ground floor.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor to the right of the main hospital reception, within the shared standard toilet, along the short corridor on the left; on the lower ground floor on the right after the entrance from the car park; within the toilets lobby in the Advanced MRI Centre on the lower ground floor, plus a separate patient toilet; and within the Department of Women and Children's Health on the tenth floor.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on the ground floor to the right of the main hospital reception, along the short corridor on the left.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located between Gassiot House and Lambeth Wing.
    • The car park is open air/surface and sheltered.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 15+ designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 220cm (width) x 490cm (depth).
    • The width of the marked zone is 135cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 85m from the lower ground floor entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy ramp or slope and doors permanently held open.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
    • The open air Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side and the rear. The covered Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone on both sides and the rear.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors and staff permit holders only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located along the covered pavement in front of the building, and inside the building on the lower ground floor.
    • There is not a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders with a medical appointment. An appointment card or certificate is required to qualify for free parking. This must be presented to staff in the Knowledge Information Centre (KIC) on the ground floor, or the North Wing.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located on the left before the entrance to the car park.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the drop-off point.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street standard parking is available .
    • There is on-street standard parking on Royal Street.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a public car park located off Upper Marsh.
    • The name of the car park is Britannia Parking.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available in the car park.
    • There is a single Blue Badge parking Bay in the public car park.

Entrance (Lower Ground Floor)

  • This entrance is located to the right of the building, beneath the covered pavement off the car park.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 130cm.
  • The key card reader and intercom are only for use outside access hours. This entrance is closed between 20:00 and 06:00 weekdays.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 118cm.
  • 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 are permanently held open.
  • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 116cm.
  • The width of the opening is 172cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.

Lift (Lift A)

  • The lift surveyed is located straight ahead after the lower ground floor entrance.
  • The distance from the lower ground floor entrance is 25m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Floors LG to 12 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 weight limit for the lift is 2045kg.
  • 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 136cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 163cm (width) x 254cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.
  • Some of the lifts are for hospital staff use only and require a key card to operate.
  • There is no third floor for purposes of access within the North Wing.

Stairs (Stairs A)

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the right after the entrance to North Wing from the main Hospital reception.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • The lower ground floor to the twelfth floor 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 not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 19cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There is a double manual door to access the stairwell on the lower ground floor.
  • There is no third floor for purposes of access within the North Wing.
  • There is no public access to the sixth, seventh or eighth floors from this stairwell.
  • These floors require a key card for access from this stairwell.
  • Lift A can be used to access these floors.

Entrance (Advanced MRI Centre)

  • This entrance is located on the lower ground floor on the left after the entrance from the car park.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 128cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 144cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The locked door can be opened on request .
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 150cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 128cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception (Advanced MRI Centre)

  • The reception is located on the right after the entrance to the MRI Centre.
  • The distance from the entrance to the MRI Centre is 2m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 94cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception 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.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is patterned.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There is 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 with armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.
  • Reception opening times are 07:45 to 19:00.

Entrance (BEIS/ICRF - Fourth Floor)

  • This entrance is located off the lift lobby on the fourth floor.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 115cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 162cm.
  • Visitors for BEIS and ICRF should use the intercom.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 174cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 115cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Toilet with Adaptations (Lower Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the lower ground floor on the right after the entrance from the car park.
    • The distance from the lower ground floor entrance is 6m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial 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 lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 159cm (width) x 254cm (depth) and there is 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 93cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a wall sensor 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 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 45cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 104cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot 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 cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 123cm 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 82cm 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.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Fourth Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located within the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science (BMEIS) on the fourth floor.
    • The distance from the BMEIS entrance is 20m.
    • 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 signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 210cm (width) x 218cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 78cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a medium 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 94cm 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 medium visual contrast.
    • There is a soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 95cm 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 94cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 98cm from the floor.
    • 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 cubicle has a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 165cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.