Supporting You to Access Healthcare
At our practice, we are committed to making healthcare accessible and inclusive for everyone. The Reasonable Adjustment Flag helps healthcare professionals recognise when a patient may need additional support or adjustments to access services, communicate effectively, or attend appointments.
What Are Reasonable Adjustments?
Reasonable adjustments are changes that can be made to help remove barriers and improve access to healthcare services for people who may need extra support.
These adjustments may include:
- Longer appointment times
- Easy Read or alternative-format information
- Support with communication
- A quieter waiting area where available
- Assistance with booking appointments
- Additional support for patients with disabilities, learning disabilities, autism, sensory impairments, mental health needs, or other conditions that make accessing healthcare more difficult
The Reasonable Adjustment Flag allows healthcare services to record and share information about these needs, helping staff provide appropriate support across NHS services.
Benefits of a Reasonable Adjustment Flag
Having a Reasonable Adjustment Flag can help:
- Improve access to healthcare services
- Reduce stress and anxiety when attending appointments
- Ensure staff are aware of your support needs
- Improve communication between patients and healthcare professionals
- Promote a more personalised and inclusive healthcare experience
- Support consistent care across NHS services where the flag is visible
Who Is This Service For?
This service may be beneficial for anyone who experiences difficulties accessing healthcare services and would benefit from additional support.
This may include people with:
- Physical disabilities
- Learning disabilities
- Autism
- Sensory impairments such as sight or hearing loss
- Cognitive impairments
- Mental health conditions
- Long-term health conditions that affect communication or access
If you feel that additional support would help you access healthcare more easily, please speak to a member of our team.
How to Request a Reasonable Adjustment
If you think you would benefit from a Reasonable Adjustment Flag, you can:
- Speak to a clinician during your appointment
- Ask a member of the Reception team
- Call the practice and discuss your needs with us
- Complete the online Reasonable Adjustment form
Further Information and Useful Links
For more detailed information about reasonable adjustments and accessible healthcare, please visit the resources below:
- NHS Reasonable Adjustments – Reasonable Adjustment Flag – NHS England Digital
- Reasonable adjustments for people with a learning disability – Reasonable adjustments for people with a learning disability – GOV.UK
- Equality Act 2010: guidance – Equality Act 2010: guidance – GOV.UK