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Patient Relations (PALS)

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 (Patient Relations (PALS))

  • Patient Relations (PALS) is/are located on Level 2 of the Centre Block.
  • Access to Patient Relations (PALS) is via the Car Park Level 2 entrance.
  • Enter via the Car Park Level 2 entrance and go straight ahead towards the main hospital reception. Take the corridor to the right of the main reception and Patient Relations (PALS) is located directly ahead.
  • There is step free access to Patient Relations (PALS).
  • Patient Relations (PALS) is approximately 24m from the Car Park Level 2 entrance.
  • There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the Car Park Level 2 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 (Car Park - Level 2)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on level 2.
    • 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 131cm (4ft 4in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
    • 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.

Opening Times (Patient Relations (PALS))

  • Access is by appointment only.

Waiting Room / Area (Patient Relations (PALS))

  • There is a waiting room / area.
  • The waiting room / area is approximately 24m from the Car Park Level 2 entrance.
  • There is level access into the waiting room / area.
  • There is not a/are not door(s) into the waiting room / area.
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs with armrests are available.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • The tables do contrast visually with the floor.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Announcements are in person.
  • The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
  • There is not 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 good.
  • Comments View
    • The width of the gap in photograph 1 is 80cm.
    • The waiting area was not in use at the time of the survey.

Room / Area (Meeting Rooms)

  • There is / are 2 room(s) / area(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room / area surveyed was; Dove Room.
  • The room / area is approximately 26m from the Car Park Level 2 entrance.
  • There is level access to the room / area.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the room / area.
  • 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 76cm (2ft 6in).
  • The type of flooring is carpet.
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
  • There are some chairs with armrests available.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The room / area does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room / area.
  • Lighting levels are good.

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities (Royal Berkshire Hospital)

  • Changing Places facilities are located on Level 1 of the Centre Block. Please click here for more information.
  • Accessible toilet facilities are located on Level 2 of the Centre Block, Level 3 of the Eye Block, Level 1 of the North block, level 1 of the Battle Block and Levels 1,2 and 3 of the South Block. There are stoma friendly toilets located on level 2 of the South Block, level 1 of the Battle Block, level 1 of the North Block, and on the level 2 concourse of the Centre Block.
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located on Level 2 of the Centre Block, on Level 2 and 5 of the Maternity Block, on Level 1 of the Berkshire Cancer Centre and on Levels 1,2, and 3 of the South Block.
  • Shared standard toilet facilities are located on Level 2 of the Centre Block along the Concourse, on Level 2 of the Eye Block, on Level 4 of the Maternity block and on Level 1 of Battle Block.

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