ROYAL BERKSHIRE HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
LONDON ROAD
READING
RG1 5AN
TELEPHONE: 0118 322 5111
Parking
Parking for patients and visitors at the Royal Berkshire Hospital is on levels 0, 1, 2 and 3 of the multi-storey car park in Craven Road.
From the multi-storey you can easily get to main reception on level 2 of the Main Entrance Block.
There are also a small number of parking spaces:
- outside North Block (the old entrance on London Road)
- on West Drive (off Redlands Road)
- outside Endoscopy on Craven Road
Access to the Berkshire Cancer Centre is good from the North Block car park, but it is more difficult for those with impaired mobility to get to other parts of the hospital from the North Block car park. We recommend that disabled patients use the multi-storey car park.
Parking is free for disabled badge holders and there are designated parking spaces for disabled visitors on Levels 0 and 2 of the multi-storey; outside North Block, outside Endoscopy, near the South Block entrance (off Redlands Road) and in West Drive.
Disabled badge holders must not park on yellow lines anywhere on site, please read the disabled drivers handbook for more information.
Wheelchairs may be found in the multi-storey car park or ask at Main Reception.
In all car parks there are pick up and drop off parking spaces (maximum stay 15 minutes).
(There is an electric buggy service operated by volunteers available to transport patients around inside the hospital between 9.30am and 12.00 noon and 1.30pm and 4.00pm Monday to Friday.)
Charges
Parking charges are:
- Up to 1 hour £1.50
- Up to 2 hours £3.00
- Up to 3 hours £4.50
- Up to 4 hours £6.00
- Up to 6 hours £9.00
All day parking £12
Maximum stay is 24 hours.
Currently cash only is accepted in the pay machines. Income generated from car parking charges is used for the benefit of patient care.
Exemptions to normal parking charges
The following are eligible to be issued with a free parking permit on a ‘one per patient’ basis:
- partners of women in labour
- visitors (close relatives) to patients in ICU, SCBU, Paediatric wards
- visitors to patients who are gravely ill
- patients attending for chemotherapy, radiotherapy and dialysis.
- if you are a Carer providing care to a patient – please speak to one of the nurses or speak to the ward sister/manager or PALS.
The following are eligible to be issued with a concessionary (reduced cost) parking permit on a ‘one per patient’ basis:
- outpatient or day-case patients who are not entitled to a free parking permit whose appointment or treatment is expected to exceed four hours
- regular visitors to long-stay or very ill patients ‑ to be authorised at the discretion of the ward sister.
The issued permit will allow free or concessionary parking of one motor vehicle in any Trust public on-site pay & display space for the period quoted on the permit. Maximum permit duration is as follows:
- concessionary permits one week
- free permits one month
When their permit expires, eligible applicants can reapply for another permit. The permit will specify the car registration number and is therefore not transferable to other vehicles.
Application form
To get free or concessionary parking, patients and visitors should complete an application form (these are available in the clinic or on the ward – please ask at the ward or clinic reception desk) and get it authorised by the ward sister or departmental manager.
All applicants should then present their authorised application form to Security at the reception desk, level 2 Main Entrance building at the Royal Berkshire Hospital site.
Bus
A number of buses travel between the hospital and Reading town centre. For up to date service details call Reading Transport on 0118 959 4000 or visit www.reading-buses.co.uk. Also, some Thames Travel buses stop at the hospital; for service details call 01491 837988 or visit www.busbook.co.uk
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Train
There are frequent services by train to Reading town centre from outlying areas served by the hospital. For up to date information on train services call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 4849 50 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk
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Cash Machine
There is a cash dispenser machine on Level 2 in the main entrance, opposite the main reception desk. There is also a change dispenser adjacent to the cash machine.
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Refreshments
The facilities mentioned below are open to staff, visitors and patients.
Level 1 Main Entrance, Craven Road
•AMT coffee cart
Open Mon – Fri
(6am-6.30pm)
Level 2 Main Entrance, Craven Road
•Snack bar
Open Mon – Sat
•Convenience stores
Open 7 days a week
Level 2 Maternity Block
•League of Friends convenience store & café
Open 7 days a week
Level 1 South Block
•Hospital restaurant & café
Open 7 days a week
Level 2 Eye Block
•WRVS tea bar
Open Mon – Fri
Level 2 North Block
•Cancer Centre WRVS tea bar
Open Mon – Fri
Level 2 Battle Block
•WRVS cafe in the conservatory
open 7 days a week
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