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Changing Place - Centre Block Level 1

Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital (Royal Berkshire Hospital)

  • By Road View
    • 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.
  • By Bus View
    • 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.
  • By Train View
    • 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.
  • Useful Links View

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 (Multi-Storey)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located to the right hand side of the main entrance.
    • The car park type is multi storey.
    • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
    • The maximum height is 220cm (7ft 3in).
    • The car park does have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is concrete.
    • 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 360cm x 480cm (11ft 10in x 15ft 9in).
    • There is not 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 a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located on level 0 and level 2.
    • There is not a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located at the entrance to the car park, at the payment machines in the car park and throughout the car park.
    • Payment signs are located next to and on the screen of the payment machines.
    • 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 throughout the car park.
    • Payment machines are located on level 0 in the lift lobby and on the level 2 central walkway in the car park.
    • 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 unaided.
    • The hospital entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the hospital entrance is clearly signposted.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the Car Park - Level 2 entrance.
  • Comments View
    • Patient and visitor parking is available on level 0, 1, 2 and 3.
    • Blue badge holders must register on the APCOA Blue Badge Portal to receive free parking.
    • The portal can be accessed via www.bluebadge.apcoa.co.uk or by scanning the QR code on a parking sign.
    • To validate Blue Badge parking please go to reception on level 2.
    • There are Blue Badge bays and drop off zones on level 0 (A and E drop off only) and level 2 and are located near the entrances to the hospital.
    • The maximum wait time in the drop off bays is 30 minutes.
    • There is a payment machine located in the middle of the car park on every level.

Getting To (Changing Place)

  • The Changing Place is/are located on Level 1 of the Centre Block.
  • Access to the Changing Place is via the Car Park Level 1 entrance.
  • Enter via the Car Park Level 1 entrance and the Changing Place is on the right.
  • There is step free access to the Changing Place.
  • The Changing Place is approximately 5m from the Car Park Level 1 entrance.
  • There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the Car Park Level 1 entrance and the department/service.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.

Entrance (Car Park - Level 1)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on level 1.
    • 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.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 129cm (4ft 3in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 158cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 161cm.

Changing Places (Level 1)

  • Location and Access View
    • The facility is located to the right from the car park entrance on level 1.
    • The facility is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Car Park - Level 1 entrance.
    • There is level access into the facility.
    • The facility surveyed is for the sole use of disabled people.
    • The colour contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
    • The colour contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • You do need a key for the facility.
    • The key is a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from the main reception.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
    • The width of the door is 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • The dimensions of the facility are 255cm x 262cm.
    • There is a clear 200cm x 180cm manoeuvring space in the facility.
    • The facility has a non-slip floor.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is good.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The facility toilet has a transfer space on both sides.
    • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 122cm (4ft).
    • Dropdown rails are provided.
    • As you face the toilet the dropdown rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • The colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • As you face the toilet there are vertical grab rails on both sides.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the right of the toilet and wall is good.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 95cm.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm for the toilet.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is within reach and fully functional.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The facility changing bench is wall mounted.
    • The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
    • The length of the facility changing bench is 185cm (6ft 1in).
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead.
    • The overhead hoist covers all areas in the cubicle.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is not a shower unit with a detachable shower head.
  • Other Facilities View
    • A privacy screen is not available.
    • The type of wash basin is adjustable.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Wall mounted grab rails are not available at the wash basin.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 93cm.
    • Wide tear off paper roll is not available.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is at the recommended height of 80cm-100cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser is not at the recommended height of 80cm-100cm.
    • There is not a mirror.
    • There is a/are pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is an emergency alarm for the facility.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is within reach and fully functional.
    • There is not a coat hook.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon.
    • The lighting levels are good.

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