Under the Equality Act 2010, all disabled people have the right to reasonable adjustments when using healthcare for example hospitals and GP’s.
These adjustments remove barriers that disabled people would otherwise face in accessing these services. Making reasonable adjustments means ensuring disabled people have equal access to good quality healthcare.
In hospitals you have rights. There are three really important ones:
- Right to equal treatment. This includes having reasonable adjustments made so that you can access equal treatment.
- Right to accessible information. For example Easy Read.
- Right to make decisions about your healthcare as much as you can.
Reasonable Adjustments can be:
- Having information and letters in easy read
- Extra support in appointments
- More time with the doctor for example a double appointment
- Have a quiet place to wait or have a private room
- Having an appointment on time
- Having appointments at times that suit you
- Having a support worker or family members with you
- Have better physical access to the hospital
- Having a learning disability liaison nurse
How to ask for reasonable adjustments:
You can do this before or at the time of your appointment.
You can get in touch with the Learning Disability Liaison Nurse at the hospital or ask the person who is treating you.
