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Reasonable Adjustments in Healthcare

NikkiHastie

Hi All,

I wonder if anyone has any advice on what to do? Im significantly struggling to get reasonable adjustments in place for accessible healthcare. Ive been diagnosed with autism, complex trauma, complex ptsd and have physical health conditions like m.e also. 

Ive sent my autism passport, my reasonable adjustments documents to hospital via learning disability nurse and just cannot get simple adjustments  in place like the change from insistence on telephone calls to emails, quiet waiting area, etc meaning i just cannot engage with the service. Im experiencing autistic burnout now in addition due to the chronic stress, emotional distress, systemic barriers. 

The problem is now I need 4 teeth taken out via hospital whilst in burnout with no adjustments. I just cannot manage the procedure its too overwhelming. Ive asked for a referral to community dental services which do specialise in disabled people, autism, anxiety etc but noone knows how to do it and been told that teeth out at hospital is only option.  Problem is I cannot cope with the procedure which now means disengaged from services.  Ive not got a dentist as no NHS in my area so they can't refer me to specialist community dental services.

ts a bit of a panic in truth as i just don't know what else to do. This has been ongoing since last Dec. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Just at the end of my tether with it all and am feeling very unwell from all the chronic stress, emotional distress and systemic barriers. 

Any advice, support or personal experience will be greatly appreciated. 

Parents

  • Thank you for sharing this. It's nice to know I'm not alone. I have just posted about this too (Difficulty Accessing Reasonable Adjustments at My GP). It's very distressing when an NHS GP practice does not respect the Equality Act 2010. The only thing within my power is to put in complaints.

    It is really sad that you can no longer engage with the service. Have you considered therapy to help deal with the issues you've mentioned, like overwhelm and distress?

  • in reply to soboiceland

    Many thanks for your response. Lucky enough I am under NHS Talking Therapies and as you kindly suggested did let my physiological therapist know my experiences and the impact. Im actually blown away by the response. 

    1. Therapist reported problems to a  governing board member who said that they felt this needs to be addressed and therefore will ve bringing it up at the next meeting. 

    2. Therapists wrote to my GP explaining the problem and asked if a referral could be made to community dentist service who they felt where the more appropriate service to meet my needs.

    3. Has offered to attend a social services meeting so we can address this and ask for an advocate. The council have an advocacy service that can attend all appointments where an advocate is needed e.g DWP, Council, NHS etc. 

    I would also like to respond to your problem regarding GP practice and reasonable adjustments as in my experience a complaint didn't address reasonable adjustments issues with my bank or council however,  I took the matter to the ombudsman service and they were outstanding. On xmas eve I received a decision of significant injustice against my complaint regarding the council and the financial ombudsman has now come back to me regarding bank and again agreed significant distress was caused. Both orginisation have now got to put in place reasonable adjustments, send ombudsmans proof this has been done and pay compensation. The outcome was solely based on an unbiased opinion based on the law and the facts of the case. I recommend this avenue if you are still struggling with the reasonable adjustments at you GP practice. 

Reply
  • in reply to soboiceland

    Many thanks for your response. Lucky enough I am under NHS Talking Therapies and as you kindly suggested did let my physiological therapist know my experiences and the impact. Im actually blown away by the response. 

    1. Therapist reported problems to a  governing board member who said that they felt this needs to be addressed and therefore will ve bringing it up at the next meeting. 

    2. Therapists wrote to my GP explaining the problem and asked if a referral could be made to community dentist service who they felt where the more appropriate service to meet my needs.

    3. Has offered to attend a social services meeting so we can address this and ask for an advocate. The council have an advocacy service that can attend all appointments where an advocate is needed e.g DWP, Council, NHS etc. 

    I would also like to respond to your problem regarding GP practice and reasonable adjustments as in my experience a complaint didn't address reasonable adjustments issues with my bank or council however,  I took the matter to the ombudsman service and they were outstanding. On xmas eve I received a decision of significant injustice against my complaint regarding the council and the financial ombudsman has now come back to me regarding bank and again agreed significant distress was caused. Both orginisation have now got to put in place reasonable adjustments, send ombudsmans proof this has been done and pay compensation. The outcome was solely based on an unbiased opinion based on the law and the facts of the case. I recommend this avenue if you are still struggling with the reasonable adjustments at you GP practice. 

Children
  • in reply to NikkiHastie

    Thank you for sharing your story. It seems that progress has been made.

    I wanted to let you know that I have taken my situation to the ombudsman, and they have informed me that there is nothing more they can do. The GMC has also confirmed that the GP has taken the correct approach, noting that their role is to determine whether a doctor is fit to practice.

    I am interested in learning more about the role and purpose of the governing board member you mentioned.