Collegiate Medical Centre is committed to ensuring that all patients, staff and visitors can access our services safely and comfortably. We recognise our duty to remove physical barriers wherever possible and to make reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Policy Statement
We are committed making our building and services accessible to all patients, creating a safe, supporting environment for visitors and staff, including those with physical disabilities. This policy sets out that we have considered and addressed the needs of individuals, and what we currently have in place and what to support access to the practice.
What We Provide
- The main entrance is step-free and wheelchair accessible.
- Wide automatic door at the entrance to the building.
- A lift is available for access to the first floor.
- Clinical and non-clinical areas are on both floors, and room allocation is planned with patient needs in mind.
- Doors and corridoes are wide enough to accommodate wheelchair users.
- Some chairs with arms are available in the waiting area.
- The reception desk has a lowered section for better visibility and access.
- We have an accessible toilet on the ground floor, with grab rails.
- Accessible parking is available outside the building. We do not own the car park, but we monitor access needs where possible.
- Accessible information on display boards (large font, high contrast).
- Portable hearing induction loop.
- Emergency pull cords in all bathrooms and clinical rooms.
- Wheelchair available if needed.
- We aim to maintain a clear and clutter-free waiting area.
Support at the Practice
- If a patient needs help entering the building or moving between floors, staff will provide support
- If a patient is unable to use the lift or stairs safely, we will move their appointment to a downstairs room wherever possible
- Reception staff will alert clinicians when a patient may require additional help
- All staff are expected to treat patients with dignity and to ask how they can help if someone appears to need support with access or mobility.
Patient Information and Communication
- If a patient tells us about a disability or access need, we will add an alert to their record so staff are aware
- Reasonable adjustments are recorded and reviewed annually
- Health passports are created for our patients with dementia and Learning Difficulties.
- Patients can ask for appointment letters or messages in alternative formats (e.g. large print or plain English)
- If a patient prefers to wait in a quieter area or be seen quickly due to mobility issues, we will try to accommodate this
- Communication support available to book (BLS Interpreter, SSE Interpreter, Deaf relay interpreting, Deafblind communication, Lip speaking Interpreter, STTR)
- Our website and patient information materials are periodically reviewed to ensure
accessibility.
What We Can’t Do
We are not able to make major structural changes to the building. Any requests for adjustments that fall outside our responsibilities as a tenant will be considered carefully but may not be possible.
Patient Feedback
Patients or carers can raise concerns about access verbally, in writing or through our feedback process.
Accessibility concerns should be logged and reviewed by a manager.
Where possible we will act on suggestions to improve the accessibility of our building or services.
Monitoring
Accessibility arrangements are reviewed annually by the Practice Manager. This policy updated if guidance or regulations change. Any issues raised by patients or staff are discussed with the GP Partners.