Reasonable Adjustments in Healthcare

Understanding Accessible Care and the NHS Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag

Reasonable adjustments are changes that reduce disability-related barriers and help disabled people access healthcare more equitably.

This guide explains the reasonable-adjustment duty in healthcare alongside the NHS Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag, which can help relevant information about a person’s needs be recorded and shared between services.

It includes:

What a reasonable adjustment is
The Equality Act 2010 duty
Examples of adjustments in healthcare
Communication adjustments
Sensory and environmental adjustments
Appointment and procedural adjustments
What the NHS Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag is
What information can be recorded
Identifying and reviewing individual adjustments
Questions patients and families can ask
Guidance for healthcare professionals
What to consider when an adjustment is not provided

A practical guide to understanding accessible healthcare, reducing disability-related barriers and communicating the adjustments that help an individual receive appropriate care.

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