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Accessibility and support at your appointment  

We want to make your appointment easy to attend, and there are a number of ways we can help. If there is anything that would make your visit easier, please let us know when booking your appointment.

Physical Access and Premises 

We aim to make our clinics accessible for patients with a range of mobility needs. Our sites provide step-free access, accessible toilets, and clinical equipment designed to support wheelchair users. If you have specific access requirements, please contact us before your appointment so we can help plan your visit. 

Entry and Navigation 

SHAC East, Central and West clinics are all located on the ground floor and have wheelchair access from street level. The Lawson Unit, based within the main hospital, can be accessed via lifts from the main entrances. 

Facilities 

Accessible toilets are available in all SHAC and Lawson Unit clinical areas. These include emergency pull cords and enough space for wheelchair turning. 

Clinical Areas 

Our examination rooms can accommodate wheelchairs and are equipped with height-adjustable couches. If you require assistance transferring to a couch, or need to use wheelchair-accessible weighing scales, this can be arranged through the outpatient department at the main hospital. Please let us know when booking your appointment if you need this support so we can arrange it in advance. 

Arrival 

Disabled (Blue Badge) parking bays are available close to all our clinics: 

Information and Communication 

If you have specific communication needs, please let us know when booking your appointment so we can discuss how best to support you. We follow the Accessible Information Standard to make sure you receive information in a way you can understand and get the communication support you need.  

Any information you share with us about your needs will be handled confidentially. You can read more about how we protect your information on our confidentiality page. 

Identifying and Recording 

When you contact us, we will ask if you have any communication needs. We will record this so our staff can support you at your appointment. 

Flagging 

We can add a note to your patient record to let staff know about your communication needs. This can be updated at any time and will be shared with staff involved in your care so they can support you at your appointment. 

Alternative Formats 

We will work with you to provide information in a way that meets your needs, including adapting how information is shared or explained during your appointment. If you tell us what you need in advance, we will discuss this with you and do our best to put support in place. 

Support for people with a learning disability 

If you have a learning disability, we also offer dedicated support, including Easy Read resources and adjustments to help you access our services. 
Find out more about support for people with a learning disability. 

Contact Methods 

You can contact us in different ways. If using the phone is difficult for you, please let us know and we will do our best to support you with alternative options. Some appointments are also available to book online. 

Sensory and Language Support 

We offer a range of support to help with hearing, communication, and language needs during your appointment. 

Hearing Support 

Induction loops are available at all reception points. Portable induction loops can also be used in consultation rooms if needed. 

British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters 

We can provide a registered British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter for your appointment. Please let us know when booking so we can arrange this in advance. 

Spoken Language interpreters

We can provide spoken language interpreters if English is not your first language. Please let us know when booking so we can arrange this in advance. 

Digital Accessibility 

We aim to make our digital services easy to use and accessible to everyone. 

Website 

We aim to use clear language and simple layouts to make information easier to understand. Our website is designed to be accessible. You can:  

  • change colours, contrast levels and fonts 
  • zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen 
  • navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
  • navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
  • listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver) 

For more details about how we meet accessibility standards, including WCAG 2.2 AA, please see our Accessibility Statement. 

Procedural Adjustments 

We can make adjustments to how your appointment is arranged to support your needs. You are welcome to bring a friend, family member or support worker to your appointment if this would help you feel more comfortable. 

Our staff are trained in equality, diversity and inclusion, including learning disability and autism awareness, so they can support a range of needs. 

Appointment Flexibility 

We can offer longer appointments if you need more time, for example to process information or use an interpreter.  Please let us know when booking so we can arrange this. 

Waiting Accommodations 

If you need support with noise, lighting or busy environments, or would prefer to wait in a quieter space, please let us know and we will do our best to arrange this. 

Further information

We do not currently provide translated versions of this website. You may find it helpful to use tools such as Google Translate or your browser’s translation feature, but these may not always be accurate.