Reasonable Adjustments

The Equality Act 2010 states all organisations, including health and social care such as hospitals and GP surgeries, must take reasonable steps to remove barriers individuals face because of disability and make it just as easy for disabled people to use health services as it is for people who are not disabled. 

The NHS have developed a Reasonable Adjustments Flag to enable health and care workers to record, share and view details of reasonable adjustments across the NHS in England, wherever the person is treated. 

The Reasonable Adjustments Flag provides basic context about a patient (such as details of their disability or long term condition), details about key adjustments and further information to aid health and care workers. 

Some examples of Reasonable Adjustments could be: 

• making sure there is good access for people who use a wheelchair
• providing plain English or easy read appointment letters
• giving someone a priority appointment if they find waiting difficult
• 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 place
• ensure there is access to a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter if required
• using a communication chart to support a person with dementia during an appointment

Some types of disability and impairement that can be recorded are: 

• Vision - e.g. blindness, partial sight
• Hearing - e.g. deafness, partial hearing
• Mobility - e.g. difficulty walking short distances or climbing stairs
• Dexterity - e.g. lifting and carrying objects, using a keyboard
• Learning, understanding or concentrating 
• Memory
• Mental health
• Stamina, breathing or fatigue 
• Social or behavioural - e.g. ASD, ADHD

You can also state if you would prefer not to say.

There are numerous benefits to having a Reasonable Adjustments Flag on your record if you struggle with a disability or long term condition, such as: 

• Help services adapt to patients needs
• The Flag is immediately visible when a patient is referred or presents for care
• It ensures that details of impairments and other key information, such as communication requirments, are shared consistently across the NHS
• Supports carers and informs them of adjustments to services 
• It can help reduce stress for the patient 

If you would like to inform us of any difficulties you face and adjustments you feel you may need, please complete our SystmConnect Reasonable Adjustments Questionnaire.

Please click the above link and go to Other Admin Request, then to Reasonable Adjustments.