Access Guide
Getting To The Hospital (Royal Berkshire Hospital)
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By Road
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- Royal Berkshire Hospital is located on Craven Road to the south east of the city. The postcode to use for the sat nav is RG1 5AN. From the west of the city, Royal Berkshire Hospital can be accessed via several routes from the A33. From the east of the city the main route to the hospital is from the A3290 via London Road which is a one way street.
- There are various car parks at the hospital but the main public parking is in the multi-storey car park located on Craven Road, next to the main entrance of the hospital. The multi-storey car park is pay on foot and the pay stations are located on Level 0 and Level 2. Levels 0, 1, 2 and 3 are public. Most wards and departments are accessed from Level 2. There is no public access to A&E or Endoscopy from inside the main hospital. Level 2 has 26 disabled-only spaces and leads straight to the main reception and to most wards and departments in the hospital. There are also seven disabled spaces on Level 0. A limited number of disabled spaces are also available near West Drive buildings, South Block, North Block, Endoscopy, Sexual Health and Battle Block.
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By Bus
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- Several local bus routes serve the hospital site. They are the leopard 3, leopard 8, leopard 9, little oranges 19a, little oranges 19b, little oranges 19c and 149. The bus stop is located on Craven Road to the right of the Main Hospital entrance.
- There is not an onsite bus stop.
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By Train
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- The closest station is Reading which is approximately 1 mile from the hospital. You can catch the 19a little oranges and the 19b little oranges buses from the station. Both services stop outside the main hospital entrance on Craven Road. There are also several taxi services which run from the station.
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Useful Links
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- Google Map of Royal Berkshire Hospital location.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Route from Reading Train Station to the hospital.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Please click on the link below for First Group Buses.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Please click on the link below for Reading Buses.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance (Royal Berkshire Hospital)
- 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 Level 2 of Centre Block.
- The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 0118 322 8338.
- 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 at the main reception.
- 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 not available.
- BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
- Language interpreters can be provided on request.
- Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
- To obtain mobility aids please contact main reception.
- There is a Changing Places facility at this hospital which is located on Level 1 of Centre Block.
Hospital Parking (North Block - Public and Blue Badge Holders)
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Parking
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- The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
- The car park is located in front of the North Block main entrance on London Road.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park does not have a barrier control system.
- 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.
- There is/are 10 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 245cm x 460cm (8ft x 15ft 1in).
- There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
- The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is a designated drop-off point.
- The drop-off point is located to the front of the car park.
- There is not a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
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Paying
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- There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
- Payment signs are provided.
- Payment signs are clearly presented.
- Payment signs are located at the payment machines in the car park.
- Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- Payment machines are located by the North Block main entrance.
- There is not 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).
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Access to the Hospital
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- 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 uneven surfaces.
- The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the Berkshire Cancer Centre main entrance.
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Comments
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- This is a pay on exit car park.
- For Blue Badge Holders - display the clock section of the badge and take the ID section to the reception for validation.
- Blue Badge holders can park in any bay, not just designated bays.
- The left side of the car park is for staff and permit holders only and the right side of the car park is for the public and Blue Badge holders.
Getting To (Berkshire Cancer Centre Clinic - Outpatients)
- The Berkshire Cancer Centre Clinic - Outpatients is/are located on Level 1 of the Berkshire Cancer Centre.
- Access to the Berkshire Cancer Centre Clinic - Outpatients is via the Berkshire Cancer Centre Main Entrance - Green Entrance.
- Enter via the Berkshire Cancer Centre Main Entrance - Green Entrance and the entrance to Outpatients is located ahead and on the right.
- There is step free access to the Berkshire Cancer Centre Clinic - Outpatients.
- The Berkshire Cancer Centre Clinic - Outpatients is approximately 5m from the Berkshire Cancer Centre Main Entrance - Green Entrance.
- There are resting areas along the route.
- Wayfinding signage is not 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 (Berkshire Cancer Centre Main Entrance - Green Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located to the right of the North Block car park.
- There is not a drop-off point at this entrance.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is not 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 not an intercom.
- There is not a hand sanitiser.
- There is a door release button when exiting.
- The height of the door release button is 93cm (3ft 1in).
- 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 106cm.
- 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 152cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope Details
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- The ramp/slope is located between the two sets of doors.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up the ramp.
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Comments
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- Beyond the entrance there is a parking validation touchscreen which is between 100cm-120cm high.
Department / Service (Berkshire Cancer Centre Clinic - Outpatients)
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Department / Service Access
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- The Berkshire Cancer Centre Clinic - Outpatients is located to the right as you enter the Berkshire Cancer Centre Main Entrance - Green Entrance.
- There is a/are door(s) leading into the department/service.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 101cm.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- There is not a hand sanitiser.
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- There is level access throughout the department/service.
- Staff can provide assistance with using any manual doors within the department/service.
- There is clear signage on the department/service.
- The type of flooring is carpet and vinyl/laminate.
- There is flooring in the department/service which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The department/service does not play background music.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Department / Service Facilities
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- This department/service has; a main reception, a waiting room/area, consultation rooms, treatment rooms, accessible toilet facilities for everyone and standard toilet facilities.
- There are 12 consultation/treatment rooms in this department/service.
- A hearing assistance system is available.
- A mobile hoist is available from another department/service.
- There are accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
- There are standard toilet facilities within this department/service.
Opening Times (Berkshire Cancer Centre Clinic - Outpatients)
- Monday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Tuesday 09:30 - 17:00.
- Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Thursday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Friday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Reception (Berkshire Cancer Centre Clinic - Outpatients Reception)
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Reception
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- The reception point is located straight ahead along the corridor as you enter the department.
- The reception point is approximately 17m (18yd 1ft) from the Berkshire Cancer Centre Clinic - Outpatients entrance.
- Clear signage for the reception area/desk is not visible from the entrance.
- There is step free access to the reception point.
- There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
- There are no windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
- The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
- The height of the reception counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is a bell to attract attention.
- The bell is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a portable loop.
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- Staff are not trained to use the hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
- The hearing assistance system was tested on 14/08/2024.
- The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
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Reception Waiting Area
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- There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
- Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
- There are seats with armrests on both sides.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The waiting room / area does have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
- There is a television.
- Subtitles are available.
- Vending machines are not available.
- A water dispenser is available.
- There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
- Lighting levels are good.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Consultation Rooms)
- There is / are 5 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Room 7.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- The type of flooring is carpet.
- 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/are height adjustable.
- There are no chairs with armrests available.
- All tables are permanently fixed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- Lighting levels are good.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Examination Rooms)
- There is / are 6 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Room 2.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is a bed / couch.
- The bed / couch is adjustable.
- There is not sufficient space next to the bed/couch for a mobile hoist to operate.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
- All chairs have armrests available.
- Some tables are permanently fixed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- Lighting levels are good.
Consultation / Treatment Room (Hair Advisory Clinic)
- There is / are 1 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; Hair Advisory Clinic.
- There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
- There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 75cm (2ft 6in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is 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/are height adjustable.
- There are some chairs with armrests available.
- All tables are permanently fixed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- Lighting levels are good.
Day Room / Lounge Area (Quiet Room 1)
- There is a day room/lounge area.
- The day room/lounge area is approximately 6m from the Berkshire Cancer Centre - Outpatients entrance.
- There is level access into the day room/lounge area.
- The day room/lounge area is always open.
- There is a/are door(s) into the day room/lounge area.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are easy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The type of flooring is carpet.
- There is not a space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There are sofas and also a mixture of single seats with and without armrests.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 50cm (1ft 8in).
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- There is not a television.
- There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
- Lighting levels are good.
Day Room / Lounge Area (Quiet Room 2)
- There is a day room/lounge area.
- The day room/lounge area is approximately 12m from the Berkshire Cancer Centre - Outpatients entrance.
- There is level access into the day room/lounge area.
- The day room/lounge area is always open.
- There is a/are door(s) into the day room/lounge area.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are easy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The type of flooring is carpet.
- There is a space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There are sofas and also a mixture of single seats with and without armrests.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 62cm (2ft).
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- There is not a television.
- There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
- Lighting levels are good.
Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located along the department corridor on the right.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 9m from the Berkshire Cancer Centre Clinic - Outpatients entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is easy to open.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 184cm x 202cm (6ft x 6ft 8in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The height of the light switch/pull cord is 135cm from floor level.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 110cm.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is medium.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the right.
- There is not a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is medium.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are pedal bin and clinical waste disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 158cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a wall which acts as a backrest.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 96cm (3ft 2in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is low.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 74cm (2ft 5in).
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left hand side of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 92cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 92cm (3ft).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is low.
- There is not a hand dryer.
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Baby Changing Facilities
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- Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
- There is a flip down baby change table available.
- The height of the baby change table is 87cm.
Standard Toilet(s) (Male and Female)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female and male toilets are located along the department corridor.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 14m from the Berkshire Cancer Centre Clinic - Outpatients entrance.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- The colour contrast between the internal toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- The colour contrast between the walls and floor is medium.
- Toilet seats do not have a high colour contrast.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 79cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is lever.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The wall fixed soap dispenser is located above and to the left of the wash basin.
- Lighting levels are low to moderate.
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Toilet Facilities 2
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- The female and male toilets are located along the department corridor.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 1m from the Berkshire Cancer Centre Clinic - Outpatients entrance.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- The colour contrast between the internal toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- The colour contrast between the walls and floor is medium.
- Toilet seats do not have a high colour contrast.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 88cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is lever.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The wall fixed soap dispenser is located to the left of the wash basin.
- Lighting levels are low to moderate.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Berkshire Cancer Centre link (new tab) - click here.
- North Block - Building Guide link (new tab) - click here.
- Centre Block - Building Guide link (new tab) - click here.