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Smithers and Cau Ward

The Royal Marsden, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PT

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital

  • By Road View
    • The Main Hospital Entrance is located off Downs Road and is approximately 1.5 miles south of Sutton town centre via the B2230 Brighton Road.
      If travelling via the M25 from the south, leave the M25 at Junction 8 and join the A217 to Sutton.
      Continue for approximately 8 miles until you reach a roundabout with a signpost for the B2230 Brighton Road to Sutton.
      Take the first turning on the right into Downs Road.
      The turning is just after a small humpback bridge and immediately before the pedestrian crossing.
      Continue over the crossroads.
      The Royal Marsden is the second turning on the left.
      For access to the Oak Cancer Centre and The Charles Wolfson Rapid Diagnostic Centre please use the Cotswold Road entrance, post code SM2 5NF.
      .
    • There are 2 car parks at the hospital for patients and visitors.
      The main car park is accessed via Downs Road.
      This car park is barrier ANPR operated and is available for appointments in the East Wing, West Wing or South Wing, for example Radiotherapy.
      The rear car park is accessed via Cotswold Road.
      This car park is ANPR operated without a barrier and is available for appointments in the Oak Cancer Centre, for example the Charles Wolfson Rapid Diagnostic Centre.
      There is designated accessible parking at both car parks.
      Blue Badge holders and participants of the Sunflower Scheme have free parking in both car parks and will need to register their Blue Badge or show a Sunflower badge or lanyard at the nearest main reception desk.
  • By Bus View
    • London and local bus routes run close to the hospital or terminate nearby.
      Bus numbers may vary due to changes in routes.
      Currently, bus numbers 80, 280, 420 and S1 run along Brighton Road, Downs Road and Cotswold Road.
      They connect with Morden underground station (Northern Line), Sutton, Tooting, Redhill, and Banstead train stations. Please ask for the Downs Road stop.
      Bus numbers S3 and S4 stop in the hospital grounds, outside the Main Hospital Entrance.
      They run every 30 minutes (peak hours only).
      There is no Sunday service and both pass through Sutton town centre and stop at the train station.
      The S3 bus terminates at Worcester Park Station and the S4 at Roundshaw.
      There is a live bus information screen at a high level, located above the site map, just inside the Main Hospital Entrance.
    • There is an onsite bus stop.
    • There is an onsite bus stop located in front of the hospital's main entrance.
    • The onsite bus stop is sheltered, with bench seating available.
      There is space for a wheelchair next to the bench.
    • The onsite bus stop is approximately 10 metres from the Main Hospital Entrance.
      To access the entrance you will need to cross a dropped kerb and then there is level access.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest train stations are Sutton and Belmont.

      Sutton Station: Served by trains running from London Victoria, London Bridge, London Blackfriars, London Kings Cross (First Capital Connect), Clapham Junction and Horsham, Sussex.
      For connecting services from the south coast, change at Horsham.
      For connecting services from West London, change at Wimbledon.
      The hospital is about 1.5 miles from Sutton station and is an uphill walk.
      The journey takes about 10 minutes by bus or taxi.

      Belmont Station: Served by trains on the London Victoria to Epsom Downs line.
      Belmont station is a quarter of a mile from the hospital.
      Trains run every hour and more frequently during peak travel times.
      There is no Sunday service.
      The walk from Belmont station is uphill.
  • By Underground View
    • The nearest underground station is Morden (Northern Line).
      There is lift access at this station.
      The station is approximately 6 miles from the hospital.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance

  • To see the hospital map please click here (opens new tab).
  • There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
  • The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located on the West Wing corridor, to the left off the hospital main entrance foyer.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 0800 783 7176.
  • The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is [email protected].
  • There are volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
  • Volunteers can be found within the hospital main entrance foyer and at the Oak Cancer Centre Entrance.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print, different languages and audio.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available on request.
  • BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • A mobility scooter charging point is not available at the hospital.
  • Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact the porter service, through any of the service receptions.
  • The Royal Marsden Help Centre includes details of the PALS service and The Royal Marsden Macmillan Hotline Service. There are also links to patient guides and booklets which can be downloaded. The Hotline provides specialist advice and support to all Royal Marsden patients, their carers, and hospital and community-based doctors and nurses caring for Royal Marsden patients. You can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 020 8915 6899. Email contact details are also available for those who are not able to use the telephone service. Please see the website for further details.
  • Additional hospital services link (new tab) - click here.

Hospital Parking (Main Car Park)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located to the right of the main hospital entrance.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does have a barrier control system.
    • The barrier controls/touchscreen can be reached from the car.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
    • There is/are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 230cm x 470cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 5in).
    • There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are not clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located at the entrance to the car park and at the payment machines in the car park.
    • Payment signs do not make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Payment machines are located outside the Main Hospital Entrance and the Radiotherapy Treatment entrance.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
    • To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 50m (54yd 2ft) from the Main Hospital Entrance.
  • Comments View
    • There are 4 Blue Badge Bays at Level 3 of the car park.
    • There is a steep slope on the road and footpath between these bays and the Main Hospital Entrance.
    • This steep slope can be bypassed using the Radiotherapy entrance from the car park and taking Lift 9 to the basement level.
    • There is then level access on the basement corridor to access other services in the main building using Lift 7 to access the East Wing or Lift 1 or 2 to access the West Wing.

    • There are 4 short-stay Blue Badge Bays to the right of the car park entrance barrier.
    • The short-stay bays are free for 30 minutes.
    • There is a level route between these bays and the Main Hospital Entrance.
    • Blue Badge holders and participants of the Sunflower Scheme have free parking and will need to register their Blue Badge or show a Sunflower badge or lanyard at the nearest main reception desks.

Getting To (Smithers Ward And Cau Ward)

  • Smithers Ward And Cau Ward is/are located on the second floor of the West Wing.
  • Access to Smithers Ward And Cau Ward is via the Hospital Main entrance.
  • Enter via the Main Hospital Entrance, continue ahead and turn left down the corridor past the Friends of Marsden Charity Shop. Proceed through the doors towards the North Wing, passing the lifts to the left and through The Cherry Tree Cafe and via the West Wing entrance. Follow the corridor to the West Wing lift 3 on the right. Take the lift to the second floor and on exiting the Smithers Ward and Cau Ward is to the right.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Smithers Ward And Cau Ward.
  • Smithers Ward is approximately 14m from the West Wing lift 3.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.

Outside Access (Main Hospital Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the Main Hospital Building off Downs Road.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 149cm (4ft 11in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 106cm (3ft 6in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 106cm (3ft 6in).
    • Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 180cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 200cm.
  • Comments View
    • Wheelchairs that are available to borrow are usually located after the first set of entrance doors.

Other Floors (West Wing - Lifts 3 and 4)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B, G, 1, 2, 3.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Lift (West Wing - Lifts 3 and 4)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located at the end of the West Wing, beyond the Cherry Tree Restaurant.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 80m (87yd 1ft) from the Hospital Main Entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are B, G, 1, 2, 3.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is fair.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 145cm x 210cm (4ft 9in x 6ft 11in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.
  • Comments View
    • Lift 3 is detailed.
    • Lift 4 is available around the corner, to the left of Lift 3.
    • Level access to these lifts from the Hospital Main Entrance is through the Cherry Tree Restaurant.
    • This avoids the upwards steep ramp at the start of the West Wing Corridor and the downwards steep ramp at the end of the corridor, which is the route signposted from the main entrance foyer.

Entrance (Smithers Ward Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the second floor of the West Wing.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is a hand sanitiser at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 155cm.

Opening Times (Visiting Hours)

  • Monday Closed.
  • Tuesday Closed.
  • Wednesday Closed.
  • Thursday Closed.
  • Friday Closed.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.
  • Comments View
    • The ward closes for lunch at 12.30-14.00 and for dinner at 18.00-19.00.

Ward (Smithers Ward)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an oncology ward.
    • This is a female ward.
    • There is/are 4 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 4 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 23 bed(s) on this ward in total.
  • Ward Access View
    • There is not a/are not door(s) leading into the ward.
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • There is clear signage on the ward.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is some flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the ward reception desk is 110cm.
    • There is not a lowered section.
    • There is a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • Example Side Room View
    • There are multiple side rooms available with accessible ensuites.
    • The side room surveyed does have an accessible ensuite.
    • The width of the door opening into the side room is over 75cm.
    • The side room surveyed does not have a ceiling track hoist.
    • There is not sufficient space next to the bed for a mobile hoist to operate.
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
    • Bedside storage is available.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is good.
    • The lighting levels in the side room are bright.
    • The width of the door opening into the ensuite is over 75cm.
    • There is not a clear unobstructed turning space within the ensuite.
    • The fixtures/facilities available in the ensuite include; a shower and a toilet.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the ensuite is good.
    • The lighting levels in the ensuite are bright.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • A hearing assistance system is available on the ward.
    • The ward does not play background music.
    • There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
  • Visitor Facilities View
    • There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located on the ground floor in the West Wing main corridor.
    • There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located on the ground floor in the West Wing main corridor.

Room / Area (Day Room)

  • There is / are 1 room(s) / area(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room / area surveyed was; Day Room.
  • The room / area is approximately 16m from the Smithers Ward entrance.
  • There is level access to the room / area.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the room / area.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 92cm (3ft).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is not a bed / couch.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
  • All chairs have armrests available.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • The room / area does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room / area.
  • Lighting levels are bright.

Peak Times

  • Please note - Public areas may become crowded during peak times.

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