St Bartholomew's Hospital
Important information for patients and visitors
Visitors
Our hospitals are adapting so we can continue care for our patients safely while the coronavirus remains a threat to everyone’s health.
We are therefore currently restricting visitors to our hospitals.
You must also attend your appointment alone unless you need support for mobility or accessibility reasons.
Visitors will only be allowed into clinical areas if the patient is:
- at the end of their life
- a child
- lacks capacity
- is giving birth
Only one visitor at a time will be allowed in these cases. Some wards may have further restrictions to protect the safety of patients and staff. Case-by-case exceptions should be discussed with the nurse in charge.
Do not enter our hospitals if:
- you have a cough, cold, any ‘flu-like symptoms or infectious illnesses like diarrhoea or vomiting
- you have a continuous cough or high temperature - go home, self-isolate for 7 days, and seek advice from NHS 111 online
- a loss of sense of smell or taste.
Read more about visiting our hospitals during the pandemic.
Your safety
If you need to visit us, our hospitals will look and feel different. The videos below explain some of the changes we have made.
All staff and visitors must wear face coverings or masks, use hand gel and wash their hands more often, and maintain social distancing. When you arrive, you will be asked some questions about your appointment and whether you have any symptoms.
We are caring for Covid-19 patients in separate areas in our hospitals, known as zones, so the right infection control measures are in place for them.
Take a tour of each of our hospitals
Watch a short animation to help you prepare for your visit
Attending your outpatient appointment
You should not come into our hospitals for an appointment unless you told to do so. We are providing telephone and video consultations to most patients and our teams will contact you to confirm these arrangements.
If you do need to be seen in person, you should attend alone unless you need support for mobility or accessibility reasons.
Further information on telephone and video consultations
Cancel, change or talk to us about your appointment
Your planned surgery
Planned surgery is taking place across all our hospitals. Our clinicians are prioritising the most urgent operations. If they suggest you should have your surgery now it’s because they think that going ahead is the best option for you.
If you have symptoms before your surgery, you should let us know. Similarly, if you’ve had contact with someone who has Covid-19, tell us straight away.
Planned surgery at Barts Health: frequently asked quesitons
Attending your maternity appointment
All of our maternity services are open as usual. However, there are some restrictions on visiting. This means that visitors will only be allowed into clinical areas if the patient is giving birth.
St Bartholomew's Hospital
What to expect when you visit St Bartholomew's Hospital
Our hospitals are adapting so we can continue to care for patients safely during the coronavirus pandemic. This video explains what you can expect when you visit St Bartholomew's.
About St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital is an internationally renowned teaching hospital in the City of London, close to St Paul’s cathedral. The hospital is a centre of excellence for both cardiac and cancer care.
Barts Heart Centre, based in the hospital’s state-of-the-art King George V (KGV) building, is Europe’s largest specialised cardiovascular centre, covering a population of around six million people.
A specialist heart attack centre delivers dedicated emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with rapid access to a team with the specialist expertise and equipment. In January 2020 the service was rated number one for cardiac arrest survival rates in London.
Also based in our KGV building, Barts Cancer Centre has an international reputation for treating common and rare cancers. The Centre, which is the second biggest of its kind in London, provides cancer services to more than 1.5 million people and is also a tertiary referral centre for some specialist national services. It has the best surgical resection rates for lung cancer in the country.
The hospital has a spacious layout designed around the needs of patients and staff. There are a number of additional services on site, including specialised endocrinology and fertility services, as well as traditional hospital outpatient services.
St Bartholomew’s Hospital is proud to be Britain’s oldest hospital. In 2023 it will celebrate its 900th birthday.
Please note: we do not offer A&E services at St Bartholomew's Hospital.
For A&E, please go to University College Hospital near Euston or The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.
St Bartholomew's Hospital is rated 'good'
St Bartholomew's Hospital is rated 'good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Find out more on the CQC's website.
Barts Cancer Centre
Barts Cancer Centre has an international reputation for treating both common and rare cancers.
The Centre, which is the second biggest of its kind in London, provides cancer services to more than 1.5 million people from across east London, the south and east of England. It’s also a tertiary referral centre for some specialist national services. In 2020, the Centre was found to have the best surgical resection rates for lung cancer in the country.
As well as offering the latest minimally invasive surgical procedures, cancer drugs, stem cell and gene therapies, Barts Cancer Centre has an impressive array of cutting-edge imaging, radiotherapy and radio surgery technology.
Patients at Barts Cancer Centre are offered access to leading research and clinical trials.
St Bartholomew’s Hospital is a Cancer Research UK Centre of Excellence and National Institute for Health Research Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Centre.
Barts Heart Centre
Barts Heart Centre
Barts Heart Centre is Europe’s largest specialised cardiovascular centre, integrating staff and services from three sites in one and covering a population of around six million people.
With state-of-the-art facilities including 10 theatres, 10 cath labs and more than 300 general, cardiac and critical care beds, the Heart Centre aspires to perform more heart surgery, MRI and CT scans than any other service in the world.
Home to the National Cardiac Audit Programme, Barts Heart Centre is part of the wider cardiovascular services delivered by Barts Health and works with hospitals in the area to provide comprehensive care for patients, ensuring that the majority of care is provided as close to home as possible. A number of outreach programmes promoting heart health are also run in the community, including visits to local schools across north east London.
The Barts Heart Centre also forms part of the UCLPartners Academic Health Science Network, facilitating research, development and collaboration across a wide group of healthcare providers and academic institutions.
Heart attack centre
A heart attack is a serious event and receiving specialist treatment as soon as possible greatly improves survival and recovery. The heart attack centre provides dedicated emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing rapid access to a team with the specialist expertise and equipment required to treat someone who has had a heart attack, in a state-of-the-art hospital.
Ambulance crews are trained to recognise the signs of a heart attack and to bring the patient directly to the heart attack centre instead of an emergency department. This may mean that ambulance crews bypass hospitals that might be nearer, but this is to ensure the correct treatment is available as quickly as possible.
In January 2020 the service was rated number one for cardiac arrest survival rates in London.
How to find us
St Bartholomew's Hospital address
St Bartholomew's Hospital
West Smithfield
London
EC1A 7BE
Switchboard telephone number
0203 416 5000
The contact numbers and visiting hours for our wards can be found further down this page.
If you are having trouble contacting a department, you can also try our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0203 465 5919.
Getting here by car during the coronavirus pandemic
For patients driving to the hospital for their appointment, or being driven by friends and relatives, on-street parking restrictions remain in place during the coronavirus pandemic.
Discounted parking is available at NCP at the Barbican, which is less than five minutes’ walk away, and at Farringdon (10 minutes’ walk). Use the discount code here to get this offer.
If you are being dropped off, we would suggest doing so on the roads around West Smithfield, where you can also find disabled parking facilities.
Getting here
St Bartholomew's Hospital is located in the City of London, close to St Paul’s Cathedral.
You can travel to the hospital in a number of ways including on foot, by car, by bike or by public transport.
Plan your journey using the Transport for London (TfL) journey planner or through the travel information below.
TfL can offer advice on planning a journey using an accessible route and can provide a mentor to come with you for your first few journeys to help you gain confidence and become an independent traveller. To find out more complete TfL’s online form.
By bus
The following buses stop outside or close to the hospital: 4, 8, 17, 25 (24 hour service), 45 46, 56, 63, 76, 100, 153, 172, 242 (24 hour service) and 521 (Mondays-Fridays only) as well as night buses N8, N63 and N76.
Low-floor wheelchair accessible buses run on all routes serving St Bartholomew's Hospital.
By tube
The closest underground stations are Barbican, Blackfriars, Farringdon, Moorgate and St Paul's. All stations are between 6 and 15 minutes’ walk from St Bartholomew's Hospital.
Barbican and Farringdon are served by the Hammersmith and City Line, Metropolitan Line and Circle Line. Blackfriars is served by the Circle line and District Line. Moorgate is served by the Northern Line. St Paul's is served by the Central Line.
By train
The nearest National Rail stations are Blackfriars, Cannon Street, City Thameslink, Moorgate and Farringdon. All stations are between 6 and 15 minutes’ walk away.
Liverpool Street station is a 17 minute walk or a short tube, bus or taxi ride away.
Freedom passes
The Older Persons Freedom Pass allows free travel across London and free local bus journeys nationally.
The Disabled Persons Freedom Pass allows free travel across London and free bus journeys nationally. You can use your pass on most journeys across London but there are a few exceptions to when and where you can use your card.
A 60+ London Oyster photocard allows you to travel free on public transport in London from the age of 60 until you qualify for a Freedom Pass. To be eligible for a 60+ London Oyster photocard, you must live in a London borough and be aged 60 or over.
To find out more about the above listed Freedom passes, visit the London Councils website.
By car or taxi
There is no public parking at the hospital so we encourage patients and visitors not to travel by car where this is possible.
If you do need to drive, the Rotunda multi-storey public car park is close to the hospital on West Smithfield, which is run by the City of London. NCP Aldersgate Multi-Storey is also located close to the site.
St Bartholomew's Hospital operates a one-way system and allows for drop off and pick up with three designated laybys, with a maximum stay of 10-minutes.
You can access the drop off point from Giltspur Street and exit onto King Edward Street.
Infopoints at the hospital allow you to make free calls to taxi companies and public transport information lines to arrange your journey home.
There is an infopoint located at the main entrance of the King George V building on King Edward Street. There are additional infopoints at the exit of Clinic 2, at the patient transport lounge by Clinic 3 and there will soon be a further infopoint by the discharge lounge outside Ward 4A.
Blue badge holders
There are a small number of parking bays for drivers with Blue Badges on site, these are accessed via Giltspur Street. As a patient or visitor, you may be aware aware of the redevelopment taking place at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
Due to this redevelopment, several of the disabled parking bays located in Bartholomew Close have been taken out of use. We apologise for this inconvenience to our patients and visitors.
Drivers who are registered disabled and have a Blue Badge can also check where to park at on the City of London Corporation website.
Congestion Charge Zone
St Bartholomew's Hospital is situated within the congestion charging zone. All patients and visitors who drive to the hospital are therefore required to pay the charge, although there are some exemptions and discounts. These include:
- those with disabilities who hold a blue badge
- residents living within the congestion charging zone
- drivers of alternative fuel vehicles
A full list of categories of drivers and vehicles eligible for exemptions and details of how to pay the charge can be found on the Transport for London congestion charging website.
To qualify for an exemption or discount, you must register with Transport for London.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)
From 8 April 2019 the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will operate in central London, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, in the same area as the Congestion Charging Zone.
If you drive to St Bartholomew's Hospital, use Transport for London’s online vehicle checker to see if you will be affected. Visit the Transport for London website.
Refunds of hospital transport costs
You may be able to claim a refund for the cost of your transport to hospital through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) if you:
- are not eligible for patient transport services (PTS)
- cannot afford the cost of travelling to hospital
- cannot get a friend or relative to take you
Refer to Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) for more information on who is eligible, what the conditions are and how you can access the scheme.
By bike
We encourage visitors, staff and patients living nearby to cycle to the hospital if possible. Cycle parking facilities are available around the hospital.
There are several cycle routes in the area surrounding the hospital including Cycle Superhighway 6 (CS6), which runs between Elephant and Castle and King's Cross.
A journey planner can be found on the London Cycling Campaign website. Routes are also available on popular travel apps and websites such as Google Maps, Apple Maps and Citymapper.
Santander cycles are available to hire and dock from near St Bartholomew's Hospital at:
- West Smithfield Rotunda, Farringdon (outside the King Henry VIII Gatehouse Entrance)
- King Edward Street, St Paul's (outside the King George V building entrance)
Our facilities
State-of-the-art facilities
The hospital’s state-of-the-art facilities includes 23 wards, 10 theatres, 10 catheter labs, a 306 inpatient bed capacity with 55 critical care beds and accommodation for 135 day cases, all supported by more than 2,500 staff and partners.
The hospital has a spacious layout designed around the needs of patients and staff. Forty per cent of the beds are large en-suite single rooms; the remainder are spacious two and four bedded bays.
The environment is designed to reduce noise and the temperature is controlled by ventilated fresh air that is specially treated before it enters the building to reduce the risk of airborne infection.
St Bartholomew’s has received the Macmillan Quality and Environment Mark for chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Overnight accommodation
James Hora Home at The Royal London Hospital provides accommodation for relatives and carers of critical care and surgical patients. The home also accommodates patients who may find it difficult to make regular visits to St Bartholomew’s Hospital for treatment.
The home has space for up to 26 guests. Please speak to a member of the ward/clinic staff about a referral to stay in James Hora Home or contact them on 078 8055 3525.
Please note that direct bookings cannot be made.
Chaplaincy
Chaplains of many faiths are available to speak to all patients, relatives and carers. Information about your religious preference will be passed to the chaplaincy.
If you do not wish this to happen, please inform a member of staff.
Shops
The Guild Shop can be found on the ground floor of the KGV building. It sells toiletries, confectionery, newspapers and magazines, cards and hospital souvenirs.
The shop is open Monday-Friday, 8.30am-4pm.
The shop is run by volunteers from the Barts Guild. Opening hours may be subject to change.
Post box
A post box can be found at the Henry VIII Gatehouse entrance.
Restaurant and coffee shop
Light refreshments are available from the coffee shop, open from 7am-4pm, Monday-Friday, and 8am-2pm, Saturday and Sunday, on the ground floor of the KGV building.
There is a restaurant on the second floor of KGV, which serves hot food from 7am-3pm and 8pm to 2am on Monday to Friday. It is open between 8am to 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Wifi
Free wifi is available throughout the hospital. There’s no time limit on use, and capacity has been expanded in order to ensure continuous access for as many users as possible.
Please note that the wifi cannot support streaming movies or high-intensity computer games.
The wifi can be accessed by completing the following steps:
- Connect to the NHS wifi wireless network
- Open your web browser
- From the welcome page, accept the terms and conditions
- Browse the internet and send and receive emails
If you encounter any problems, please call the 24/7 helpdesk on 0344 848 9555.
St Bartholomew’s Hospital Museum and Archives
Set in the historic North Wing of St Bartholomew’s Hospital, the Museum tells the story of this renowned institution, celebrates its achievements and explains its place in history.
The archives, also based in the North Wing, hold documents dating back to 1137, available for research.
Find out more about the museum and archives at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
Our ward contact numbers and visiting hours
| Ward | Telephone number |
| Main hospital reception | 0203 465 5355 |
| Radiotherapy reception |
0203 465 5222 0203 465 6222 |
| Nucleur medicine reception |
0203 465 5900 0203 465 5767 |
| Clinic 1 | 0203 465 6467 |
| Clinic 2 |
0203 465 5665 0203 465 5664 |
| Clinic 3 | 0203 765 8154 |
| 1C |
0203 765 8344 0203 465 8038 0203 465 8341 |
| 1D |
0203 765 8327 0203 765 8028 |
| 1E |
0203 765 8320 0203 765 8013 |
| 2nd floor clinic 4 reception (cystic fibrosis patients only) | 0203 465 6565 |
| 2nd floor clinic 5 reception |
0203 465 5855 |
| 2nd floor cardiac MRI reception |
0203 465 6113 0203 465 6335 |
| Cath lab reception | 0203 465 8065 |
| Radial lounge (3C) | 0203 465 6387 0203 765 8061 |
| 3A West |
0203 465 6537 0203 465 6530 |
| 3A East |
0203 465 5411 0203 465 5416 0203 465 6849 0203 465 5447 |
| 3D (inpatient) | 0203 465 6526 |
| 3D (day unit) | 0203 465 6528 |
| 4A |
0203 765 8106 0203 765 8107 |
| 4B |
0203 465 6366 0203 465 6364 0203 765 8110 |
| 4C |
0203 465 6586 0203 465 6585 |
| 4D |
0203 765 8076 0203 765 8376 |
| 4E (cystic fibrosis patients only) |
0203 765 8088 0203 765 8388 |
| 5A |
0203 465 6567 0203 465 5553 |
| 5B |
0203 465 6551 0203 465 5567 0203 465 5552 |
| 5C |
0203 465 5508 0203 765 6500 |
| 5D |
0203 465 5346 0203 465 6346 |
| 6A |
0203 465 6883 |
| 6C |
020 3465 6886 |
| 6D |
020 3465 6545 020 3465 5545 |
| 7A |
0203 465 6789 0203 465 6786 |
Contact our departments
Surgical Admissions Unit: single point of contact
The single point of contact office (SPOC) for patients who need to contact us about their heart surgery is 0203 465 5655.
For patients who need to contact us about their lung procedure or surgery, please call 0203 465 6066.
Please be aware, your call may go through to an answerphone. However, we will return your call as quickly as possible.
Cardiology: consultant contact details
|
Consultant |
Specialty |
Telephone number |
|
Professor Richard Schilling |
Electrophysiology |
0203 765 8846 |
|
Dr Oliver Segal Dr Edward Rowland |
Electrophysiology |
0203 765 8646 |
|
Dr Vivienne Ezzat Dr Martin Lowe |
Electrophysiology |
0203 765 8649 |
|
Dr Fakhar Khan Dr Anthony Chow |
Electrophysiology |
0203 765 8691 |
|
Prof Pier Lambiase Dr Ron Simon |
Electrophysiology |
0203 765 8647 |
|
Dr Mark Earley Dr Ross Hunter |
Electrophysiology |
0203 765 8651 |
|
Dr Simon Sporton |
Electrophysiology |
0203 765 8646 |
|
Dr Mehul Dhinoja Dr Syed Ahsan |
Electrophysiology | 0203 765 8845 |
|
bhnt.electrophysiology@nhs.net |
||
| Arrhythmia Nursing | Electrophysiology | 020 3765 8844 |
|
Dr Andrew Archbold Dr Andrew Wragg |
Interventional cardiology |
0203 765 8712 |
|
Prof Adam Timmis |
Interventional cardiology |
0203 765 8714 |
|
Prof Charles Knight Prof Anthony Mathur Dr Elliot Smith Dr Dan Jones |
Interventional cardiology |
0203 765 8715 |
|
Dr Ajay Jain Dr Julia Grapsa |
Interventional cardiology |
0203 765 8639 |
|
Dr Simon Kennon Dr Mike Mullen Dr Mick Ozkor |
Interventional cardiology |
0203 765 8638 |
|
Dr Paul Rees Prof David Wald Dr Arvinder Kurbaan Dr Carl Hayward |
Interventional cardiology |
0203 765 8637 |
|
Electrophysiology and interventional cardiology admissions |
Contact number |
|
Interventional cardiology admissions |
0203 765 8734 0203 765 8732 0203 765 8695 |
|
Electrophysiology admissions |
0203 765 8730 0203 765 8729 0203 765 8733 |
|
Whipps Cross admissions (electrophysiology and interventional cardiology) |
Via main switchboard 020 3416 5000, using exttension 10502 |
|
Cardiac admissions team lead |
0203 765 8731 |
|
Cardiac admissions |
|
|
Pre-operative assessment |
0203 465 5959 |