N24. Disability Access to Premises

Policy Statement

{{org_field_name}} believes in providing a working environment that is safe and easy to use for patients, their relatives and visitors, and for staff. {{org_field_name}} believes that access to buildings is a critical part of their design, especially for care services whose users may include the disabled, the infirm and the elderly. For example, entrances and exits to reception areas and offices need to balance welcome and ease of access with the obvious need to control access and ensure safety and adequate levels of security.

Access design needs to satisfy the provisions of the Fire Precautions Act 1971, the Road Traffic Act 1991 and the Equality Act 2010, which places a duty upon owners of work premises to provide adequate access for disabled people.

Access Policy

{{org_field_name}} is committed to providing safe and easy access to all parts of its premises for patients or staff who use wheelchairs, who are infirm or unsteady on their feet, or who suffer from sensory impairments.

The Equality Act 2010 requires employers to make “reasonable adjustments” for disabled people, such as providing extra help or making changes to the way they provide their service. Employers also have to take reasonable steps to remove, alter or provide reasonable means of avoiding physical features that make it impossible or difficult for disabled people to use a service or to be employed in a workplace. In addition, under the Building Regulations, new commercial buildings must cater for disabled visitors as well as the people working in them, while building works to existing premises should not have any facilities for disabled people made worse.

The Equality Act 2010 also places duties on service providers to not discriminate against members of the public on the grounds of disability.

To comply with these aspects of the law, and to provide full access as stated above, {{org_field_name}} has put such measures in place which identify barriers to access, and regularly reviews its systems and processes for the way that its services are provided.

All access points to reception areas, offices and communal spaces have been reviewed and suitable adaptations under the Equality Act 2010 and Building Regulations have been made. These adaptations include the provision of disabled parking bays close to the building, the fitting of covered ramps and slopes to replace stairs and steps, the fitting of suitable hand rails, alterations to existing doors to make them easy to open for wheelchair users, the provision of an intercom security system in the front entrance, the provision of suitable lifts and ramps inside the buildings, the removal of door steps or barriers, the removal of furniture or fittings that block wheelchair access, a review of floor surfaces and coverings to make them slip and trip free and a review of signage to ensure that patients and visitors know where they are.
All new employees will be employed on the basis of merit and performance at interviews, and no applicants for jobs will be discriminated against on any basis, including that of disability. Reasonable adaptations or changes in systems or procedures will be made to accommodate new staff who may have disabilities in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Training

All staff will be offered training covering basic information about staff duties and responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010, and about health and safety risk management and the reporting of hazards. All new staff will receive induction training which will include guidance on improving access and procedures wherever possible. Staff will be trained to be more aware and involved with disability access and to consider how services can be provided in a different way that disabled people would find more convenient.

Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}

N24. Disability Access to Premises