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Virtual Acute Care Unit

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

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Access Guide

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Getting To (Virtual Acute Care Unit)

  • The Virtual Acute Care Unit is located on Level 2 of the South Block.
  • The Virtual Acute Care Unit is approximately 8m from the South Block Entrance.
  • The route from the South Block Car Park has a steep ramp and uneven surfaces.
  • Access to the Virtual Acute Care Unit is via the South Block Entrance.
  • Enter via the South Block entrance. The Virtual Acute Care Unit will be on the right.
  • There is step free access to the Virtual Acute Care Unit.
  • There are not resting areas along the route.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • View information on getting to and around the hospital (opens new tab)
  • Comments View
    • If using the multi-storey carpark, a buggy service is available from the main reception.

Hospital Parking (South Block Car Park - Staff and Blue Badge Holders Only)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders and staff only.
    • 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 not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
    • There is/are 9 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 250cm x 426cm (8ft 2in x 13ft 12in).
    • There is 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 not a designated drop-off point.
  • Paying View
    • There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located throughout the car park.
    • Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • 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 not clearly visible from the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the hospital entrance is not clearly signposted.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the South Block entrance.

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 from the Blue Badge Bays 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).

Department / Service (Virtual Acute Care Unit)

  • Department / Service Access View
    • The Virtual Acute Care Unit is located on Level 2 of South 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 but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 134cm (4ft 5in).
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a hand sanitiser.
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • There is level access throughout the department/service.
    • Staff can provide assistance with using any manual doors within 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.
    • The department/service does not play background music.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Department / Service Facilities View
    • This department/service has; a waiting room/area, consultation rooms and accessible toilet facilities for everyone.
    • There are 4 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 accessible toilet facilities within the department/service.
    • There are not standard toilet facilities within this department/service.

Opening Times (Virtual Acute Care Unit)

  • Monday 08:00 - 20:00.
  • Tuesday 08:00 - 20:00.
  • Wednesday 08:00 - 20:00.
  • Thursday 08:00 - 20:00.
  • Friday 08:00 - 20:00.
  • Saturday 08:00 - 20:00.
  • Sunday 08:00 - 20:00.

Waiting Room / Area (Virtual Acute Care Unit)

  • There is a waiting room / area.
  • The waiting room / area is approximately 5m from the Virtual Acute Care Unit 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 not a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
  • All chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs with armrests are available.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • The surface height of the lowest table is 46cm.
  • 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 not space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
  • Lighting levels are good.

Entrance (Virtual Acute Care Unit)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the department, accessed via Outpatients 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 bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 125cm (4ft 1in).
    • 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) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 158cm.

Entrance (VACU Rooms 2, 3 and 4)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located leading to VACU Rooms 2, 3 and 4.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 79cm.

Consultation / Treatment Room (VACU Room 3)

  • There is / are 4 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; VACU Room 3.
  • There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) is/are easy to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 76cm (2ft 6in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is a bed / couch.
  • The bed / couch is adjustable.
  • 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.
  • Some tables are permanently fixed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • Lighting levels are good.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the right hand side of the department.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 3m from the Virtual Acute Care Unit entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The door opens inwards and outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 160cm x 200cm (5ft 3in x 6ft 7in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 120cm from floor level.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 100cm.
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is medium.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is low.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary and pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 168cm from the floor.
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf has the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
    • The shelf is at a height of 92cm.
    • The shelf is located where it is reachable.
    • The toilet has a backrest.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 43cm (1ft 5in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 96cm (3ft 2in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is low.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 77cm (2ft 6in).
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left hand side of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 94cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 130cm (4ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is high.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Comments View
    • This toilet is shared by both Outpatients 2 and the Virtual Acute Care Unit.