Providing truly inclusive healthcare means understanding and acting on our responsibilities and is a legal requirement under the Equality Act 2010. It’s about making reasonable adjustments so that everyone, can access services regardless of their protected characteristics.
“Reasonable” is the operative word and some adjustments might not be feasible in every situation. For example, a small second-floor clinic might be unable to install a lift for wheelchair users. However, even in these cases, clinics need to actively help find alternative services that can meet individual needs. Signposting to other providers is a key part of our commitment to accessible healthcare. We need to recognise the importance of addressing our own unconscious biases too.
Here are some suggestions to tailor your approach to reasonable adjustments, keeping in mind that each clinic, its local demographics, and its typical caseload are unique. Perhaps develop an internal document outlining your specific adjustments, which can also serve as a working reference.