The Museum has a difficult position in the garret of St Thomas Church with access restricted to a spiral staircase, and a fire escape in an adjoining building.. It is therefore only physically accessible to those who can manage the 32 step spiral staircase. The spiral staircase does have the advantage that visitors can brace themselves against in when climbing the stairs. |
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We are doing our best to find a solution to access and to ameliorate problems it causes.
The Old Operating Theatre Museum has prepared a policy and plan to improve access to the Old Operating Theatre Museum in line with the Disability Discrimination Act. This is available on request or available to download on: accesspolicy.pdf and accessplan .
In the meantime, we have worked to widen access to individuals or groups and have provided the following aids to wider access:
- A hearing loop has been installed within the Old Operating Theatre so that visitors may now tune aids into the lecturer's unit to enhance sound.
- Twenty eight braille guides are within the museum available for visiting braille reading groups.
- A large print guide is also provided for the those with impaired vision.
- We provide regular guided tours and lectures on the Museum for those who can access the museum physically.
- Museum displays are also designed for independent hands-on access, and groups can participate in handling sessions using instruments, pharmaceutical equipment or materia medica.
In addition, for those who cannot physically access the Museum we offer:
- A range of alternative methods of discovering the Museum and Collections - via the Web Site, via the Museum's guide book or large print guide, or a video or CD as preferred by users.
- An outreach visit for groups featuring an illustrated Museum lecture given by Museum Staff
- Guided walk for groups around the remains of Old St Thomas' and Guy's Hospital and Guys Hospital accessible to wheelchair users.
