Hospital Design and Layout
How many times have you been to hospital and seen wheelchair users in a corridor instead of a waiting room?
Why is this happening?
Lack of space for a wheelchair with fixed seating especially in Fracture Clinics – the irony of where are people with broken legs going to be seen?
Are changing cubicles able to be easily accessed by a person in a wheelchair?
Staff
Do staff have disability awareness training?
How many times have you witnessed staff in an audiology department calling patients who are sitting down in a seating area where the seats are facing backwards to the member of staff?
Solution staff member to face all patients so they can attempt to lip read and know that they are being called for their appointment. Alternatively have a screen with the patient’s name on.
Waiting Rooms often do not have enough space for wheelchair users if they are sat at the end of a row of fixed chairs ensure staff do not knock into the chair when turning round with notes in their hands not looking where they are going.
Car Parks and Access
Ensure all visitors are going to be safe travelling around the hospital site.
Does any patient, family member or carer have to walk into the road in danger from traffic due to lack of access to buildings on the site?
Are crossings easily identifiable by anyone with a visual impairment or someone who is blind? Are the correct tactile paving stones in place to keep them safe? If the tactile paving is broken this is unsafe and these tiles need replacing to ensure safety for all
The solutions are often simple quick fixes and are cost effective.
How much do complaints cost a hospital in time and money to sort out?