Whipps Cross Hospital

Welcome to Whipps Cross Hospital
Helping to provide the highest quality of care to our local communities.
Whipps Cross Hospital has a full range of general inpatient, outpatient and day case services, as well as maternity services and a 24-hour A&E and urgent care centre. The hospital has a strong reputation as a centre of excellence for various specialist services, including urology, ENT, audiology, cardiology, colorectal surgery, cancer care and acute stroke care.
A&E notice
We are experiencing a high number of attendances at our A&E department and are extremely busy. As such, non-urgent patients are having to wait longer as we prioritise those in greatest need. Please consider if you may be able to be treated by your GP or pharmacist instead. If you are in doubt, call NHS 111 and they will advise you on where best to be seen.
When to go to A&E
An A&E department deals with genuine life-threatening emergencies, such as:
- loss of consciousness
- acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
- chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- severe allergic reactions
- severe burns or scalds
- stroke
- major trauma such as a road traffic accident
Less severe injuries can be treated in urgent care centres or minor injuries units. A&E is not an alternative to a GP appointment.
If your GP is closed you can go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111, which will direct you to the best local service.
Alternatively, you can visit an NHS urgent treatment or walk-in centre, which will also treat minor illnesses without an appointment.
Visit us at Whipps Cross Hospital
Whipps Cross University Hospital
Whipps Cross Road
Leytonstone
London
E11 1NR
Switchboard 020 8539 5522
Whipps Cross University Hospital is located in Leytonstone in the East End of London, within the London Borough of Waltham Forest. You can travel to 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 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 form online.
By bus
Buses W12, W15, W19 and 357 stop within the hospital grounds, you can alight at the main entrance stop. Buses 20, 56, 230 and 257 also all stop near the hospital grounds at the Whipps Cross roundabout. Low-floor wheelchair accessible buses run on all routes serving Whipps Cross University Hospital.
By tube
The closest underground stations are Leytonstone on the central line and Walthamstow Central on the Victoria line. Wood Street and Walthamstow Central are on London Overground line running from Chingford to Liverpool Street or Leyton Midland Road is on the London Overground line running from Barking to Gospel Oak.
Leytonstone can be reached within a 29 minute walk from the main entrance of Whipps Cross Hospital, the main entrance is the furthest away it will take less time to reach other departments as the hospital is spread across a large area and the main entrance is the furthest away from the direction of Leytonstone.
Alternatively it is possible to cycle to these stations or use one of the bus services operating within the vicinity of the site.
Walthamstow Central can be reached within a 33 minute walk and Wood Street can be reached in an 11 minute walk from the main entrance of Whipps Cross Hospital. Alternatively it is possible to cycle to these stations or use one of the bus services operating within the vicinity of the site.
A number of these bus services provide connections to local underground and overground railway stations, the W15 and W19 stop at Leytonstone tube station (Central line), the 230 goes to Wood Street (Overground) and the 20, 230, 257, 357, W12, W15 and W19 all stop at Walthamstow Central (Victoria and Overground).
Freedom passes
Older persons Freedom Pass- The Freedom Pass for older people allows free travel across London and free local bus journeys nationally.
Disabled persons Freedom Pass- The travel pass for disabled people 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
Parking on the hospital site is limited; we encourage patients and visitors not to travel by car wherever this is possible. The main entrance to the hospital is on Whipps Cross Road (the A114) between the Whipps Cross roundabout and the Green Man roundabout. There are approximately 400 parking spaces for patients and visitors on the site - located in four visitor car parks. Car parks one and two are located just off Hospital Road. The best route to these car parks is via the main entrance on Whipps Cross Road.
- Car park one should be used for the main entrance, chest clinic and MRI.
- Car park two should be used for main entrance, eye treatment centre and plane tree centre.
- Car park three is located just off Hospital Road, but is located behind the maternity unit. The best route to this car park is via the James Lane entrance. This car park should be used for maternity, antenatal, and outpatients.
- Car park four located near the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department. This car park is in high demand, and space availability is limited.
Pay and display machines are available in all car park areas. Please ensure your ticket is clearly displayed in the windscreen:
Up to two hours: £2.50
Up to four hours: £4.00
Up to six hours: £6.00
Up to eight hours: £8.00
Up to 24 hours: £15.00
There are also a number of places which may be used for dropping off or picking up patients. They can be found in the following locations:
- Opposite the maternity main entrance - three drop-off bays for women in labour or partners collecting mothers and babies. These are clearly marked.
- Emergency and urgent care centre drop off - there are four bays located opposite the entrance. These have a time limit of 10 minutes maximum to drop off patients. Drivers must then return to their vehicles and park in a visitors car park (the nearest is car park one).
Infopoint help-points allow you to make free calls to taxi companies and public transport information lines to arrange your journey home. There are infopoints located at the Main entrance, Antenatal, Eye Clinic, Urgent Care Centre and Outpatients at Whipps Cross Hospital.
Blue badge holders
There are blue badge parking bays in all car parking areas for disabled drivers. These are clearly marked. There are also some close to the main entrance of the outpatients department. A total of 19 bays are available for patients and visitors.
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.
The hospital appears on TfL’s Local Cycling Guide 4. You can order this guide for free by calling 0343 222 1234.
OFO dockless bike sharing operates in the London borough of Waltham Forest, you can find our OFO bike location at the main entrance of the hospital. For access to these bikes download the OFO app.
Whipps Cross wards
Ward | Phone number (switchboard 020 8539 5522) | Visiting hours |
---|---|---|
Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) | 020 8539 5522 ext 6909 | There is restricted access in this unit. Please contact before visiting. |
Acacia Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 5777 |
2pm - 7pm |
Acorn Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 5889 |
There is restricted access in this unit. Please contact before visiting. |
Birch Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 5776 |
2.30pm - 8pm |
Bracken Ward |
020 8535 6809 |
2.30 - 7.30pm |
B3 Ward | 020 8539 5522 ext 5657 | 2.30 - 7.30pm |
Cedar Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 5579 |
2pm - 7pm |
Chestnut Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 6304 or 6303 |
2.00pm - 7.30pm |
Conifer Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 5657/5151 |
2pm - 7pm |
Curie Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 5138 |
2pm - 7pm |
Emergency Gynaecology Unit (EGU) |
020 8539 5522 ext 6575 |
Monday to Friday: 8am-8pm Saturday and Sunday: 8.30am-1pm |
Elizabeth Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 6214 |
2pm-7pm |
Faraday Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 6018/5637 |
2.30pm - 7.30pm |
Forrest Assessment Unit (FAU) |
020 8539 5522 ext 6754 |
This ward has open visiting times. |
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) |
0208 558 0164 |
There is restricted access in this unit. Please contact before visiting. |
High Dependency Unit (HDU) |
020 8539 5522 ext 5587 |
There is restricted access in this unit. Please contact before visiting. |
Margaret Centre |
020 8539 5522 ext 5021 |
There is restricted access in this unit. Please contact before visiting. |
Nightingale Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 6220/5656 |
2.30pm - 7.30pm |
Peace Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 6654 |
2.30pm - 8pm |
Poplar Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 6561 0208 535 6422 |
3pm - 8pm |
Primrose Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 6567 |
2.30pm - 7pm |
Rowan Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 5639 |
2.30pm - 7.30pm |
Sage Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 5941/4061/4062 |
2pm – 7pm |
Sycamore Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 5968 |
2.30pm - 8pm |
Victory Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 6652 |
11am - 8pm |
Lister Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 6078 |
Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 7am-10.30pm. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - 7am-6.30pm. Closed on Sunday. |
Mary Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 5893/5446 |
2pm - 8pm |
Syringa Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 5653/5936 |
2.30pm - 8pm |
Patience Ward |
020 8539 5522 ext 6078 |
Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 7am-10.30pm. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - 7am-11pm. Closed on Sunday. |
Magnolia Ward (Maternity Unit) |
020 8539 5522 ext 6773 |
|
Mulberry Ward (Maternity Unit) |
020 8539 5522 ext 5067 |
General Visiting time for all visitors (No more than two visitors including the partner at the bed side at any one time): 14:30 – 20:00. Partners only visiting time: 08:00 - 22:00 Children (siblings only) visiting times: 08:00 - 20:00 To reduce the risk of infection children under the age of 16 are not permitted to visit the ward unless they are siblings of the new baby. |
Labour Ward (Maternity Unit) |
020 8539 5522 ext 5052/5061 |
Our facilities
Shops
There is a shop at Junction 5 which sells food, drinks and newspapers to visitors. The opening hours are:
Monday – Friday – 7am-10pm
Saturday and Sunday – 9am-1.30pm
There is also a shop in the main Outpatients area open between Monday to Friday from 7.30am-5.30pm.
A trolley selling newspapers and sweets visits every ward each morning and a library trolley run by the volunteers service visits at least once a week. Please leave any borrowed books with ward clerks. Donated books are always welcomed.
Cash point
A cash machine is located in the hospital restaurant at Junction 5.
Post box
Our post box can be found along the main hospital corridor near Trust Management Offices at Junction 3.
Chaplaincy Service
Chaplains of many faiths are available to speak to all patients, relatives and carers. The chaplaincy team welcomes everyone, whatever your faith or beliefs and whether or not you follow a religion. The chaplains have links with many faith communities and will always try to get an appropriate representative when asked to do so. The service is confidential and respectful.
Restaurant and coffee shop
Some wards have drink-dispensing machines or vending machines that visitors can pay to use.
The hospital restaurant provides a range of food, snacks and hot and cold drinks to visitors. It is open daily from 7am-7pm and is located between junctions 4 and 5 off the main corridor, in the red zone.
There is also a Costa located next to the restaurant. It is open Monday to Friday from 7am-7pm.
Find out about disabled access to the restaurant here.
Wifi
Free wifi is available throughout the hospital for patients. 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 Wi-Fi 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.
Barts Hospital Radio
Barts Hospital Radio is free and provides programs of entertainment, music, and news: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Volunteer Buggy Service
This service exists to transport patients and visitors with poor mobility to and between different hospital departments. The buggy service operates from the hospital's main entrance and is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30am-3.30pm. Please speak to the volunteers situated at the main entrance.
Library services
Our knowledge and library services are located in the Medical Education Centre.
Medical Education Centre
Willow Lodge, Junction 11
Leytonstone
London, E11 1NR
Tel: 020 8535 6973
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm
Stow-ries

From Saturday 21 October, car park 4 at Whipps Cross Hospital (opposite A&E main entrance) will be closed for maintenance for three weeks. …

Whipps Cross Hospital has been awarded three national Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Awards in recognition of the way we care for people at the end of their life.…

Due to unexpected delays in the refurbishment works in the imaging department, the service will remain with 50% less capacity until at least the summer and subsequently we’ll be continuing …