Disabled Accessibility

SPRING HILL PRACTICE DISABILITY PROTOCOL AND CHECKLIST INC. GUIDE DOGS POLICY

Introduction

This document outlines our commitment to assessing and meeting the needs of patients with disabilities, mobility challenges, or other specific requirements to ensure they have the best possible access to our services.

New Patients

Our practice website includes a “text-only” version for easier access by patients who are partially sighted. Additionally, we provide a dedicated section for patients with disabilities, detailing the facilities available and their ease of access, based on the findings of our Access Audit. Where applicable, we will also include photographs of relevant access points and facilities.

Upon registering, disabled patients are informed that they can call the practice upon arrival if they need assistance accessing the building or services. Our staff are trained to assist with wheelchairs, and to support partially sighted or non-sighted patients, as well as those with other special needs.

During a New Patient Visit, clinical staff will assist by escorting patients from the waiting area to their consultation. A major alert message will be placed on the patient’s clinical record to ensure continued support.

Accessible Information Standard (NHS England)

Our practice adheres to the Accessible Information Standard, as mandated by the Health and Social Care Act 2012. This ensures that individuals with disabilities, impairments, or sensory loss can access and understand the information and communication support they require.

We are committed to providing information in various formats upon request, such as large print, braille, easy read, or email. Additionally, we will arrange for any necessary communication support, such as British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters, deafblind manual interpreters, or advocates.

The practice will:

Identify and record patients’ information and communication needs.
Clearly flag these needs in the patient’s record.
Share these needs with other NHS and adult social care providers, with the patient’s consent.
Ensure patients receive information in formats they can understand, and provide communication support if needed.

For more details, refer to our Communication Standards (Including the Accessible Information Standard).

Training and Skills

We maintain a record of available training courses, such as signing courses, disability awareness, and patient handling, and support staff members who wish to attend these. We aim to have a trained staff member available to assist with these needs as much as possible and keep an up-to-date skills register as part of our routine training analysis.

All staff are offered disability training as part of their induction, to be completed within six months of their recruitment.

Patient Facilities

Our practice is committed to ensuring that our facilities are accessible to all patients. We will:

Provide practice leaflets in large font upon request.
Promote and provide staff training on the use of the Induction Loop system, with clear signage displayed in Reception. Patients will be asked if they wish to use this system.
Offer loop refresher training annually and within one month of new staff induction.
Ensure all signage is clear and unobstructed.
Provide clearly marked, wider disabled parking bays.
Permit guide dogs and other assistance dogs on the premises.
Provide high-backed winged chairs with high seat bases to assist elderly or disabled patients.
Offer private rooms for patients who may have communication, reading, or writing difficulties.
Provide spoken CD versions of the practice leaflet and website information upon request.
Allow disabled patients to make appointments via alternative methods, such as text messages, online booking, or letters. We will respond using the method most appropriate to the patient’s needs.

Checking and Recording

The practice will audit its facilities annually or after any significant changes to the premises. The results will be documented in a dedicated file, along with action plans or other relevant documentation. This file will include a summary report of the access facilities available to disabled patients, as outlined above.

We will also seek to engage with disabled patients to conduct an annual consultation regarding disability access. During this consultation, the access file will be provided for their assessment and feedback.

Guide Dogs / Assistance Dogs / Hearing Dogs Policy

Introduction

It is unlawful to treat disabled individuals less favorably due to their disability. Service providers must make “reasonable adjustments,” including modifying physical features of premises and facilitating access to services for people with disabilities.

Given the nature of general practice, access for guide dogs and hearing dogs (“assistance dogs”) is common and desirable. This policy outlines simple principles for accommodating assistance dogs on our premises. It does not cover the employment of assistance dogs, which involves broader disability employment law considerations.

General Considerations

The practice welcomes assistance dogs, including those in training under the control of a walker.
We will manage the presence of assistance dogs without disturbing the owner and will prioritize infection control and cleanliness while dogs are on the premises.
Clinical staff will avoid physical contact with dogs during consultations or examinations and will use handwashing or alcohol gel after any contact.
Special care will be taken to identify patients in the same session who may have clinical concerns related to the presence of dogs (e.g., allergies, immunosuppression, phobias) and offer alternative arrangements.
Cleaning staff will pay extra attention to rooms that have accommodated a dog.
In the event of an incident involving a dog, a significant event record will be created if necessary.
Owners of assistance dogs can “tour” the practice and its grounds with their dogs to familiarize them with all routes, including those rarely used. Refresher practice will be offered regularly.

Assistance dogs are highly trained, and their behavior on the premises is generally exemplary, including:

Staying on a lead and in close contact with the owner.
Lying quietly with the owner while waiting for a consultation.
Being unlikely to foul any area, as they are trained to go to the toilet on command and are well-groomed.
Being in good health, physically fit, with up-to-date vaccinations and care.
Wearing a special identifying harness and collar tag.

Resources

Equality Northern Ireland
Equality and Human Rights Commission – Making Reasonable Adjustments

Access Checklist

Practice Name: Spring Hill Practice – Belfast Road
Building Type: Purpose-built Health Centre
Address: Belfast Road, London N16 6UH
Other Occupants: Practice Staff and Patients
Inspected by: Anwara Begum
Inspection Date: 21.8.2024

Parking

Is there a patient car park? Yes, with a patient-only drop-off point and disabled bays.
Total parking spaces: 2
Total Designated Disabled Spaces: 2
Are designated spaces at least 5% of the total spaces? Yes
Are designated spaces at least 2.5m wide plus 1.2m adjacent space (which may be shared with the next bay)? Yes
Is the route from the designated space to the building obstacle-free? Yes
Does the route to the building have dropped curbs? Yes
Is the route to the building at least 1200mm wide? Yes
Additional Comments: All bays have Parking Aid.

Building Entry

Is the approach flat without a step, or ramped? Yes
Is the door width at least 750mm? Yes
Is there an automatic opening facility on the door or the means to call for assistance? Yes
Is there a sign in clear print to identify the building? Yes

External Steps

Are there external steps to the building? No

Reception Area

Is there a Reception sign? Yes
Is it in clear font and visible to wheelchair users? Yes
Does the reception desk have a surface < 800 high? Yes
Is there an induction loop? Yes
Are Loop signs clearly displayed? Yes
Is there a portable induction loop? Yes

Building Accessibility

Are doors at least 750mm wide? Yes
Is a lift or ramp available where the building is not on one level? N/A

Toilets

Is there a disabled toilet or one that meets accessibility requirements? Yes

Items Requiring Attention / Recommendations

Signage for hearing loops needs to be displayed. To order.

Audit Completed By: Anwara Begum

Date of last review: August 2024
Date of next review: August 2025