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Redlands Ward

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 (South Block Car Park - Staff Only)

  • Parking View
    • The car park is located at the South Block entrance currently accessed via Craven Road.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
    • There is/are 8 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 355cm x 465cm (11ft 8in x 15ft 3in).
    • There is not 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.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located to the left of the South Block entrance.
    • There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • 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 slopes/ramps.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the South Block entrance.
  • Comments View
    • There are 5 Blue Badge bays outside the front of the South Block entrance with ramped or stepped access and 3 Blue Badge bays to the left of the South Block entrance which is accessed by a slight slope from the drop off area.
    • The drop off area is 18m from the South Block entrance.

Getting To (Redlands Ward)

  • Redlands Ward is/are located on Level 2 of the South Block.
  • Access to Redlands Ward is via the South Block entrance.
  • Enter via the South Block entrance and follow the corridor past the welcome desk and the café on the right. Take the first corridor on the left and there is signage for the Redlands Ward. Follow the corridor until you reach the ward entrance.
  • There is step free access to Redlands Ward.
  • Redlands Ward is approximately 90m from the South Block entrance.
  • There are not 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.

Outside Access (South Block Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located off Addington Road.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do 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 a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 128cm (4ft 2in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 115cm (3ft 9in).
    • Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 176cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 176cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading to the South Block entrance from the staff car park and leading from the Blue Badge Bays next to the drop off area to the left of the South Block entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient 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 going up the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp is 120cm.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step Details View
    • The step(s) is/are located leading to the South Block entrance from the staff car park.
    • There is/are 6 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up the step(s).

Ward (Redlands Ward)

  • Ward Information View
    • This is a/an elective orthopaedics ward.
    • This is a shared ward.
    • There is/are 7 bay(s) available.
    • There is/are 2 side room(s) available.
    • There is/are 30 bed(s) on this ward in total.
  • Ward Access View
    • There is a/are door(s) leading into the ward.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 76cm (2ft 6in).
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 133cm (4ft 4in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 104cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • There is level access throughout the ward.
    • There is no clear signage on the ward.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is some flooring on the ward which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Reception/Nurses' Station View
    • The height of the ward reception desk is 119cm.
    • There is a lowered section.
    • The height of the lowered section of the desk is 73cm.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system available at the desk.
  • Example Side Room View
    • There are multiple side rooms available with accessible ensuites.
    • The side room surveyed does have an accessible ensuite.
    • The width of the door opening into the side room is over 75cm.
    • The side room surveyed does not have a ceiling track hoist.
    • There is sufficient space next to the bed for a mobile hoist to operate.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre around the bed.
    • Bedside storage is available.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the side room is good.
    • The lighting levels in the side room are moderate to good.
    • The width of the door opening into the ensuite is over 75cm.
    • There is not a clear unobstructed turning space within the ensuite.
    • The fixtures/facilities available in the ensuite include; a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and the floor in the ensuite is good.
    • The lighting levels in the ensuite are good.
  • Ward Features and Patient Facilities View
    • The ward does not play background music.
    • There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
    • A mobile hoist is available on the ward.
    • There are washroom facilities for patients on the ward.
    • There are toilet facilities for patients on the ward.
  • Visitor Facilities View
    • There are no accessible toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Accessible toilet facilities for visitors are located on Level 2 of the South Block.
    • There are no standard toilet facilities on the ward for visitors.
    • Standard toilet facilities for visitors are located on Level 2 of the South Block.
  • Visiting Times View
    • There are no set visiting times, please contact the ward in advance.

Washroom (Bay B)

  • Washroom Details View
    • The washroom surveyed has a wheel in shower, a toilet and a wash basin.
    • There is/are 7 washroom(s) of this type in the ward.
    • The washroom surveyed is located in B Bay.
    • There is step free access to the washroom surveyed once inside the ward.
    • This washroom is female.
    • There is written or text signage on or near the washroom door.
    • The washroom door(s) open(s) outwards.
    • The door(s) is/are locked by a twist lock.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
    • The dimensions of the washroom are 260cm x 196cm (8ft 6in x 6ft 5in).
    • The washroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is within reach and fully functional.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the washroom.
    • There is not a coat hook in the washroom.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is not a tall mirror, with suitable specifications, for ease of use.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin is 80cm.
    • As you face the wash basin the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • The tap type is lever. It is a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 100cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 120cm.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • The washroom has a non-slip floor.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet has a lid obstructing the back rest/cistern/wall.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 190cm.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 100cm.
    • There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The shower control type is twist/turn.
    • There is a flip-down/tip-up seat for the shower.
    • The height of the flip-down/tip-up or fixed seat is 52cm (1ft 8in).
    • There are not wall-mounted grab rails available for the shower.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The colour contrast between the external washroom door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the internal washroom door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall is fair.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the right of the toilet and wall is fair.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The colour contrast between the washroom floor and walls is good.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There are drop down rails in the shower.

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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