Implementing reasonable adjustments for -disabled people in healthcare services

Nurs Stand. 2019 Jul 26;34(8):29-34. doi: 10.7748/ns.2019.e11172.

Abstract

Disabled people are one of the groups in society with the greatest health needs, yet they experience some of the most significant barriers to accessing healthcare services. This article describes examples of how three healthcare services have met the Equality Act 2010 duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, so that they are not disadvantaged in accessing these services. Each of these services identified disabled patients, and considered and recorded the specific reasonable adjustments that were required. In doing so, they took time to fully understand the needs of the individual from their perspective. The services collaborated and coordinated the provision of reasonably adjusted care by communicating effectively with other health and social care providers, working together as a team, and treating disabled people as individuals.

Keywords: accessible information; disability; diversity; equality; health inequalities; inclusion; learning disability; public health; reasonable adjustments.

MeSH terms

  • Disabled Persons*
  • Health Services
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Healthcare Disparities*
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability