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League of Friends Coffee House - Battle Block

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

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Access Guide

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Overview (Royal Berkshire Hospital)

  • About View
    • This is a large general hospital foundation trust and the main provider of acute and specialist care services for Berkshire West.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), a Pharmacy, a buggy transportation service ran by volunteers to assist those with mobility issues, volunteer help desks for wayfinding, a variety of cafes and restaurants on Level 1 and Level 2 of the building, a convenience store and M&S Food.
    • View information on opening times
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
    • The main and most accessible entrance is via Level 2 of the Craven Road Multi-Storey car park entrance, which enters the hospital at the Level 2 Main Entrance foyer.
      There are alternative entrances which are step-free level via lift throughout Levels 0, 1 and 3 of the multi-storey car park and step-free via ramped and lift access at the Level 1 Main Entrance - Craven Road.
      Each Block of the hospital has its own entrance located around the hospital site and its surrounding roads with varying levels of access.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: a slight ramp in the main entrance foyer corridor into the Centre Block on Level 2, a slight ramp along the Centre Block corridor on Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 leading towards the Eye Block, a slight ramp between the Eye Block and Battle Block corridor on Level 2, a slight ramp leading from the Maternity Block into the South Block on Level 2, slight ramps in the corridor between the Battle Block and North Block on Level 1, a steep ramp leading from the North Block to the Berkshire Cancer Centre on Level 1 and slight ramps on either side of the North Block corridor on Level 2.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the Centre Block corridor on Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 leading towards the Eye Block.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors, doors permanently held open, automatic doors and narrow walkways.
    • All levels of the building can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
    • There are also a number of gender neutral and designated stoma-friendly toilets located around the hospital building.
      A changing place is available at the Level 1 Main Entrance.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair and walking aids.
    • There is a designated safe space which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
    • The designated safe space is located in the Sanctuary multi-faith room.
    • British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: Braille (on request), large print (on request), different languages (on request) and audio (on request).
    • There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: an ATM machine, a pay phone, Wi-Fi and TV pre-pay machines for patients.
    • Staff receive the following training: mandatory disability awareness training.

Parking (Craven Road Multi-Storey Car Park - Levels 0-3)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on Craven Road.
    • The car park is multi-storey.
    • The car park surface consists of concrete.
    • The height of the restriction barrier is 220cm.
    • There are 15+ designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 229cm (width) x 460cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 126cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 4m from the Level 2 Main Entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and bollards.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located on Level 0, 1, 2 and 3 of the car park.
    • There is not a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is not a level manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user in front of the payment machine (185cm x 210cm).
    • View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
    • This is a pay on exit car park.
      Blue Badge holders can park for free if they verify their Blue Badge and car registration at the parking desk in the main entrance foyer on Level 2.
      Staff permit holders are to park on Levels 4-6 of the car park.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located on Level 2 of the car park.

Getting To (League of Friends Coffee House)

  • League of Friends Coffee House is/are located on Level 1 of the Battle Block.
  • Access to League of Friends Coffee House is via the Level 2 Main Entrance - Craven Road Multi-Storey Car Park.
  • Enter via the Level 2 Main Entrance - Craven Road Multi-Storey Car Parkentrance and go straight ahead towards the main hospital reception. Turn right down the corridor on a slight slope and continue past the Café to the double doors which open out into an open foyer. Take the steep ramp straight ahead and at the end of the ramp follow the corridor through the Eye Block until you reach the lifts on the right. Take the lift to Level 1. Exit the lift and turn right. Go up the ramp at the end of the block to enter Battle Block. Follow the corridor past four sets of double doors and the entrance to the League of Friends Coffee House is located on the right.
  • There is ramped/sloped access to the League of Friends Coffee House.
  • The League of Friends Coffee House is approximately 50m from the Eye Block lifts.
  • There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the Level 2 Main Entrance - Craven Road Multi-Storey Car Park entrance and the department/service.
  • 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.
  • 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 (Level 2 Main Entrance - Craven Road Multi-Storey Car Park)

  • This entrance is located on Level 2 of the Craven Road multi-storey car park.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • The height of the hand sanitiser is 129cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 153cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors .
  • The second set of doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 161cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • The minimum width between the bollards is 152cm.
  • This entrance gives access to the main reception area on Level 2.

Opening Times (League of Friends Coffee House)

  • Monday 07:30 - 16:00.
  • Tuesday 07:30 - 16:00.
  • Wednesday 07:30 - 16:00.
  • Thursday 07:30 - 16:00.
  • Friday 07:30 - 16:00.
  • Saturday 11:00 - 16:00.
  • Sunday Closed.

Entrance (League of Friends Coffee House)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on Level 1 of Battle Block.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • 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.
    • The main 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 131cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.

Eating and Drinking (League of Friends Coffee House)

  • Location and Access View
    • The following information is for the café.
    • The café is located on Level 1 of Battle Block.
    • There is step-free access to the café.
  • Service and Menus View
    • Tables cannot be booked in advance.
    • There is a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
    • Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
    • Menu types include; written wall menus.
    • Menus are clearly written.
    • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
    • Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
    • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
    • Takeaway cups are available.
    • Adapted cups are not available.
    • Adapted cutlery is not available.
    • Drinking straws are available.
    • This area does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Service Counter(s) View
    • The height of the counter is 90cm.
    • The height of the lowered section at the counter is 75cm.
    • There is a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered section of the counter.
    • There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
    • The type of flooring in this area is laminate.
  • Tables and Seating View
    • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There are some tables which are accessible to wheelchair users.
    • The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 66cm.
    • The surface height of the lowest table is 63cm.
    • The surface height of the highest table is 63cm.
    • No tables are permanently fixed.
    • No chairs are permanently fixed.
    • Some chairs have armrests on both sides.
    • There are also bench seats.
    • The type of flooring in this area is laminate.
    • There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • The surface of the additional seating that is accessed by the ramp is block paving and concrete slabs. The surface of the additional seating that is accessed by the steps is astroturf.

Level Change (Additional Seating)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located to the right from the entrance.
  • The ramp/slope is steep.
  • 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.
  • The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located to the left from the entrance.
  • There is/are 3 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
  • Comments View
    • There are double doors (one locked) to access the additional seating right from the entrance as shown in photograph 1.
    • The doors are light and open away from you (push).
    • The width of the door is 74cm.
    • There is a single door to access the additional seating left from the entrance as shown in photograph 3.
    • The door is light and opens away from you (push).
    • The width of the door is 80cm.
    • The stepped seating area is Astroturf.
    • The ramped seating area is block paving and concrete slabs.

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Royal Berkshire Hospital)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 10+ toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located in the Level 2 main entrance foyer, on Level 2 of the Centre Block and South Block, on Level 3 of the South Block and Eye Block and on Level 1 of the Battle Block, South Block and North Block.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the male and female standard toilets on Level 2 of the South Block and on Level 3 of the South Block.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located in the main entrance foyer on Level 2, on Level 2 of the South Block and on Level 2 and Level 5 of the Maternity Block.
    • The male step-free toilet facilities are located on Level 1 of the South Block.
    • The gender inclusive step-free toilet facilities are located on Level 1 of the Battle Block, on Level 2 of the Eye Block, on Level 3 of the South Block, on Level 1 of the North Block, on Level 2 of the Centre Block and on Level 4 of the Maternity Block.
    • The female toilet facilities are located on Level 1 and Level 3 of the South Block.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • The Changing Places toilet facilities are located next to the Level 1 Main Entrance.
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the toilet with adaptations in the main entrance foyer on Level 2, within the toilet with adaptions and within the stoma friendly male and female cubicles on Level 2 of the South Block and within the stoma friendly toilets on Level 2 of the Centre Block.

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