The NHS has always had a responsibility to meet the health needs of all its citizens, and ensuring equal access to services for people contributes to this aim.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995, other related policies and the media have reinforced this expectation and set out the requirement for service providers, such as hospitals, to provide equal access to services for all people.
Under the leadership of the Office of the Chief Nurse, Addenbrooke's Hospital has established a Disability Awareness Group. This Group will co-ordinate the actions and advise the Trust Board about the investment that would be required to meet the expectations of the Disability Discrimination Act and works to continuously improve access to services for all patients and carers.
How long has Addenbrooke's had a dedicated group to address disability issues?
The Disability Awareness Group was first set up in 1997. In 2001, it revised its terms of reference and membership to meet the requirements set out above. There are three broad aims that the Group will work towards over the next three years:
- Co-ordinate and oversee actions, such as improvements to disabled access, within the Hospital to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (Specifically Part III Section 21-Access to Goods, Facilities and Services)
- Continuously raise the needs of people who have a disability, with the aim to generate service improvements that do not discriminate against disabled people.
- Provide guidance to all staff in the Hospital, to develop knowledge and skills that promote achievable levels of independence and equal access to services for all people.
Who are the members of the group?
The Disability Awareness Group has a membership drawn from administrative, management and clinical staff groups. All service areas have a nominated representative on the group. In addition, key service areas such as the Audiology Department, Addenbrooke's Rehabilitation Centre,and the Eye Department (ophthalmology) department have representation on the group. The group also has members from support areas such as 'Training and Development', 'Estates and Facilities' and 'Health and Safety', which is part of the Risk Management Team. Most importantly, a public and patient perspective is achieved by having two patient panel members as active participants on the group.
What is the Disability Awareness Group doing first?
There are three specific objectives that will enable the Group to achieve the broad aims that are set out above. Already, significant targets have been met and are described below.
Objective 1:
Support, evaluate and make recommendations that are based on the 'Access to Healthcare Premises Audit Check List' to the Hospital's Management Team about the required investment to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. In addition, and based on the early findings of the Audit, lead on actions that are required to immediately improve access to services for people who have a disability.
At Addenbrooke's the Access to Healthcare Premises Audit is currently being carried out. The Disability Awareness Group has taken the lead with the Estates and Management Department and members of the Patients' Panel, who have provided a valuable input. (Many of the members of the panel represent disabled people within Cambridge, for example CAMTAD).
The Access to Healthcare Premises Audit involves a thorough inspection of the Hospital site, a report will then be compiled recommending access improvements, prioritising action and indicating where improvements can be made.
Initial audit results are encouraging, and there is still further room for improvement. Mention should be made of the positive and caring attitude that the majority of Hospital staff have towards improving their service delivery to all service users.
Some improvements that have already been made include:
A. Modifications have been made to the main entrance door of the hospital:
- Glazing manifestations bands have been fitted;
- Additional 'slow control' buttons have been installed.
B. Cambridge Breast Unit
- Lowered kerbs have been fitted for improved wheelchair- and pushchair-access to the unit
C. Hospital main drive
- Pedestrian crossing signs have been erected;
- Additional seating has been provided between the car parks and the hospital entrance to provide places of rest for patients who cannot manage the journey without a break.
Objective 2:
Oversee, guide and support the development, delivery and evaluation of a Hospital-wide Training and Awareness Programme for all staff. This will enable better access to services for people with a disability
- Dissemination of the 'Welcoming Disabled People' booklet to - every member of Hospital staff.
- Delivery of Disability Awareness Training at staff induction, and as part of the Hospital's training programme.
- Provision of local workshops about disability to clinical teams, delivered by disability organisations such as CAMTAD.
Objective 3:
Co-ordinate and improve the access to information about services that will be available to all service users and staff, to enable wider utilisation of all the services within the Hospital.
Information about services is available through the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), and Information Centre, which is situated next to the Hospital's main entrance. |
