Access Guide
Overview (Royal Berkshire Hospital)
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About
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- 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
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Parking and Public Transport
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- The venue has its own car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
- There is a drop-off point, on-street standard parking and a taxi rank.
- The nearest train station is Reading Railway Station.
- The nearest bus station is Reading Bus Station.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
- View information on getting here (opens new tab) .
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Getting In and Around
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- 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.
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Getting Help and Assistance
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- 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)
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Car Park
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- 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.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- 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.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is a designated drop-off point available.
- The designated drop-off point is located on Level 2 of the car park.
Getting To (Maternity Ultrasound)
- Maternity Ultrasound is/are located on Level 2 of the Maternity Block.
- Access to Maternity Ultrasound is via the Level 2 Maternity Block - Main Entrance.
- Enter via the Level 2 Maternity Block - Main Entrance and go through the double doors to the left of the lifts. Go through the second set of double doors onto the Maternity Level 2 corridor and turn right. Go down the corridor and the entrance to Maternity Ultrasound is located on the left.
- There is step free access to Maternity Ultrasound.
- Maternity Ultrasound is approximately 30m from the Level 2 Maternity Block - Main Entrance.
- There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the Level 2 Maternity Block - Main Entrance and the department/service.
- There are resting areas along the route.
- Wayfinding signage is 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 (Level 2 Maternity Block - Main Entrance)
- This entrance is located at the front of the building, on Craven Road.
- The entrance area is not clearly signed.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
- The ramp has a steep gradient.
- The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
- There is an intercom at a height of 117cm.
- There is an intercom at a height of 160cm.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 125cm.
- There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
- The door opens by sliding.
- The width of the opening is 128cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The door has a medium 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 163cm.
- The second set of doors have a medium visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
- This entrance gives access to Level 2 of the Maternity Block. There is an alternative entrance to the right of this one for disabled users.
Opening Times (Maternity Ultrasound)
- Monday 09:00 - 18:00.
- Tuesday 09:00 - 18:00.
- Wednesday 09:00 - 18:00.
- Thursday 09:00 - 18:00.
- Friday 09:00 - 18:00.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Department / Service (Maternity Ultrasound)
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Department / Service Access
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- Maternity Ultrasound is located on Level 2 of the Maternity Block.
- There is a/are door(s) leading into the department/service.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 162cm .
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- There is a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 117cm (3ft 10in).
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- There is level access throughout the department/service.
- There is clear signage on the department/service.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is flooring in the department/service which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is some flooring in the department/service which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- The department/service does not play background music.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Department / Service Facilities
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- This department/service has; consultation rooms, a main reception and a waiting room/area.
- There are 6 consultation/treatment rooms in this department/service.
- A hearing assistance system is not available in the department/service.
- A mobile hoist is not available on the department/service.
- There are not accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
- Accessible toilet facilities are located on Level 2 of the Centre Block.
- There are not standard toilet facilities within this department/service.
- Standard toilet facilities are located on the corridor outside the Maternity ?Ultrasound department.
Entrance (Maternity Ultrasound Reception Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located to the left as you enter the Maternity Ultrasound department.
- 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 a hand sanitiser.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 128cm (4ft 2in).
- 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) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 160cm.
Reception (Maternity Ultrasound)
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Reception
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- The reception point is located to the left as you enter the Maternity Ultrasound entrance.
- The reception point is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Maternity Ultrasound entrance.
- Clear signage for the reception area/desk is visible from the entrance.
- There is step free access to the reception point.
- There is not a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
- There are 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 moderate to good.
- The height of the reception counter is high (110cm+) .
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the counter.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided in the reception area.
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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.
- The seats do not have armrests.
- The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
- There is not a television.
- Vending machines are not available.
- A water dispenser is not 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 moderate to good.
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Comments
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- At the time of the survey the waiting room was out of commission.
Imaging Room (Ultrasound Room 1)
- This section describes the Ultrasound Room(s), located to the left of the reception waiting area.
- There is / are 6 Ultrasound Room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; 1.
- This room is not accessed via a changing room.
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Imaging Room
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- There is step free access into the imaging room.
- The imaging room is approximately 3m from the reception.
- The imaging room is approximately 3m from the main waiting area.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are easy to open.
- A member of staff is available to assist with opening the door if required.
- The width of the door is 78cm.
- There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the imaging room.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is a bed / couch.
- The bed / couch is adjustable.
- There is no hoist available.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the imaging room.
- The lighting levels in the imaging room are adjustable.
Imaging Room (Ultrasound Room 3)
- This section describes the Ultrasound Room(s), located to the left of the reception waiting area.
- There is / are 6 Ultrasound Room(s) available.
- The name / number of the room surveyed was; 3.
- This room is not accessed via a changing room.
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Imaging Room
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- There is step free access into the imaging room.
- The imaging room is approximately 6m from the reception.
- The imaging room is approximately 6m from the main waiting area.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are easy to open.
- A member of staff is available to assist with opening the door if required.
- The width of the door is 78cm.
- There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the imaging room.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is a bed / couch.
- The bed / couch is adjustable.
- There is no hoist available.
- The room does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the imaging room.
- The lighting levels in the imaging room are adjustable.
Toilet and Changing Facilities (Royal Berkshire Hospital)
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Toilet Facilities
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- 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.
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Changing Places and Changing Facilities
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- 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.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Centre Block link (new tab) - click here.
- Maternity Block link (new tab) - click here.
