Reasonable adjustments and your rights
These changes are called reasonable adjustments. They are there to make sure disabled people can use NHS services as easily as people who are not disabled.
These could be things like:
- making sure there is wheelchair access in hospitals
- providing easy read appointment letters
- giving someone a priority appointment if they find it difficult waiting in their GP surgery or hospital
- longer appointments if someone needs more time with a doctor or nurse to make sure they understand the information they are given
- having a quiet space available for people waiting for their appointment
Watch this film about Kareem’s experience of reasonable adjustments and the difference it makes to him when they are offered.
What is the Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag?
The Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag is a national, visible marker on a person’s medical record, which indicates any reasonable adjustments needed by a person with a disability whenever and wherever they are seen or treated by any publicly-funded health and social care service. You can read more on the NHS Digital website.
Summary care records
Another way to make sure you get the reasonable adjustments you need is by adding additional information to your summary care record.
A summary care record is a way of telling health and care staff important information about a person. You can read more about how to add extra information to your summary care record on Mencap's website.
It tells staff caring for someone about their medicines and allergies. This means they can look after the person if they are not at their usual doctor’s surgery.
For people with a learning disability, autism or both a doctor might ask if they can add some additional information to the summary care record. This will mean if a person needs treatment by other services like emergency or urgent care they will have more information about them.
More information about the summary care record, including an easy read leaflet, is available on the NHS Digital website.
