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.
Examples of Reasonable Adjustments We Consider:
- Age:Age-friendly environment with suitable seating, clear signage, large print materials, awareness of age-related health conditions, longer appointments, and flexible scheduling (e.g., morning appointments for dementia patients).
- Gender Reassignment:Staff training on transgender issues and terminology, use of preferred pronouns, ensuring privacy and confidentiality, and gender-neutral restrooms.
- Marriage/Civil Partnership:Recognising diverse family structures, inclusive communication about partners and families, and clear policies on consent and parental responsibility.
- Pregnancy/Maternity:Comfortable seating, easy restroom access, pregnancy/maternity health information, baby changing facilities, and a breastfeeding-friendly environment.
- Disability:Ramps, wide corridors, accessible toilets, adjustable examination tables, Braille/large print signage (with sourcing information), sign language interpreters (with contact details), alternative format information (with sourcing information), hearing loops (where appropriate), and quiet waiting areas.
- Race:Staff training on cultural awareness, access to interpreters (with contact details), information in multiple languages (with sourcing information), awareness of health inequalities, and targeted services for underrepresented local communities.
- Religion/Belief:Flexible appointment scheduling for religious observances, awareness of dietary restrictions, and respectful information materials.
- Sex:Single-sex waiting areas or private room options, different gender healthcare professionals available upon request, and readily available women’s health information.
- Sexual Orientation:Inclusive language, forms allowing for diverse gender identities and family structures, staff training on LGBTQ+ issues, ensuring confidentiality, and signposting to LGBTQ+ support services (with contact details).
Ongoing Commitment:
We regularly train staff on equality, diversity, and inclusion, focusing on reasonable adjustments. We actively seek patient feedback, monitor accessibility, develop clear processes, and collaborate with local community groups. Our goal is to create a truly inclusive and accessible healthcare experience for everyone regardless of their protected characteristics. This will not only ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010 but also improve the quality of care and patient experience.
We can help you work through any of the steps above, answer your queries, or provide templates to help. Book a free HCPG/virtual-cuppa via this link to share ideas.
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