Accessibility

We aspire to make our services accessible for all. That's why we have adjustments in place to support people access our services.

To find out how we promote equality and inclusion across our services, visit our EDIE pages.

AccessAble — Accessibility guides 

AccessAble produces online accessibility guides to buildings, sites and venues across the UK – including many hospitals, shops, tourist attractions and universities. Find out more about AccessAble and view our online guides.

Accessible Information Standard

The Accessible Information Standard states how we should ensure that patients/service users including, carers and parents with a disability, impairment or sensory loss disability receive informaton in formats that they can understand (e.g. easy read, braille) and appropriate support to help them to communicate, for example a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, deafblind manual interpreter or an advocate.

If you require information in an alternative format, please get in touch so we can arrange this for you.

Interpretation and translation services

We will provide face-to-face interpreting, telephone interpretation, document translation; and British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting for those whose first language is not English or who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss.

If you require an interpreter or translated information, please speak to the team providing your care.

T-loop/hearing induction loop

Many of our services have t-loop or hearing induction loops available. 

Reasonable adjustments

Under the Equality Act 2010, we have a legal duty to make changes in our approach or provision to ensure our services are as accessible to people with disabilities as they are for everybody else. These changes are called reasonable adjustments. 

Reasonable adjustments can be things like:

• making sure there is good access for people who use a wheelchair in GP surgeries and hospitals
• providing plain English or easy read appointment letters
• giving someone a priority appointment if they find it difficult waiting in their GP surgery or hospital
• offering a longer appointment 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
• making sure there is a hearing loop system in consultation rooms
• making sure you fill in information about the appointment If a person has a hospital or health and care passport
• ensure there is access to a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter to support at appointments or an internet video-link that could be used with BSL interpretation remotely
• using a communication chart to support a person with dementia during an appointment

If you, or someone you care for requires an adjustment to help you access our services, let the team providing your care know. 

Our teams may use a 'Reasonable Adjustments Digital Flag' on your records. The Flag provides:

• basic context about a patient
• key adjustments and the details related to this
• further information to aid health and care workers

Support for children and families with SEND

All children should have access to the right services, at the right time, to make sure they can reach their full potential. We work together with other agencies to ensure that the right professionals are involved at the right time to meet the needs of you and your child.

Support for Armed Forces personnel and their families

As a supporter of the Armed Forces, we are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces (and their families) are treated fairly. We also provide a service supporting ex-military personnel and their families in Herefordshire.

Support for carers

We are committed to ensuring that carers receive appropriate advice and information as well as supporting their own health and wellbeing. 

Website accessibility statement

We're committed to making this website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. Please refer to our Accessibility Statement for more information.