Issues surrounding accessibility at Charing Cross Hospital have been highlighted, with recommendations made to improve the experience for disabled patients and visitors.
A report presented to the Hammersmith and Fulham Health and Adult Social Care Policy and Accountability Committee detailed findings from visits to the hospital by representatives from Action on Disability (AoD). Their feedback pointed to several areas requiring improvement, including signage and wayfinding, waiting times, the availability of quiet areas, and physical barriers.
Key findings from AoD's visits included Physical barriers (corridors, toilets) and limited wheelchair access.
The report suggests implementing clearer signage and improved navigation, creating sensory-friendly waiting areas, and providing refresher disability awareness training for staff as key recommendations. A volunteer programme is being developed to help spread accessibility initiatives throughout the trust.
While staff were generally receptive to the feedback, the radiotherapy team received specific praise for their person-centred care. AoD suggested implementing clearer signage, creating sensory-friendly waiting areas, and providing refresher disability awareness training for staff.
During the meeting, it was emphasised that involving patients from the outset of any redesign process and ensuring comprehensive staff training are crucial steps. The Charing Cross Hospital co-production initiative involved input on improving the hospital's accessibility
from Action on Disability representatives, with suggestions including ongoing involvement of Disabled residents in redesign.
Jenny Parker, an AoD Co-Producer, emphasized the importance of starting with patients at the outset of any redesign and ensuring staff training is comprehensive.
The report also notes that without an AoD user, support would not have been possible
and questions were raised about how many panels included a wide range of disabilities from the outset.
Councillor Genevieve Nwaogbe noted that some staff mistakes stem from good intentions, such as cleaners tidying away pull cords to address trip hazards. Matt Ayres, Hospital Director at Charing Cross Hospital, stressed the importance of direct engagement with patients for training purposes. Jenny Parker underscored the necessity of involving patients from the beginning of any project.
Jack Hill, an AoD Trustee and Co-Producer, commented that the legally required minimum standards are often insufficient for many disabled people. He also suggested that AoD should share their learnings with the Acute Board in Common meetings to influence decision-making in health service management. Jim Grealy suggested that Action on Disability should contact the acute board and provide information on their learnings as AoD are in the best position to share learnings and needs regarding disabled residents.
He felt that what had been done at Charing Cross would make decision makers think differently about the way to run health services.
Hospital Director Matt Ayres indicated that while the team is moving forward without delay, sustaining progress requires ongoing effort. A volunteer programme is being developed to help spread the initiative throughout the trust. Councillor Alex Sanderson inquired about the governance of co-production and potential links with other Imperial sites. Matt Ayres confirmed that the team had decided to proceed without delay but acknowledged that sustaining progress requires more than enthusiasm.
Jenny Parker highlighted the importance of identifying a starting point for improvements and noted that support would not have been possible without an AoD user. Councillor Lydia Paynter suggested reflecting on what could have improved the process, to which Jenny Parker responded that identifying the starting point was crucial and that without an AoD user, support would not have been possible.
