In the space of a week and a half, I’ve been made aware of 4 hospitals unlawfully refusing PAs, carers, and care/support workers of disabled people. Realistically, it’s not going to be just those 4; there will be others.
That’s not good enough. Dozens of you joined in to get the NHS England visitor guidance changed to make sure this didn’t happen (special thanks to Mark Williams, BRIL, DPAC, Fry Law, Not Dead Yet, and various Facebook groups).
A victory isn’t a victory if it’s going to be ignored like this. There’s more to do.
I’ve FOI’d NHS England to ask them how they communicated the updated guidance to hospitals, and let them know that it’s not being followed. They need to act.
Somehow, I don’t trust that NHS England are going to get every hospital into line as quickly as is needed. Leaving it up to them isn’t the only way forward.
I need your help again. There are almost 500 hospitals in England alone. If I rang every single one, this would take me 3 weeks. If they don’t argue. Adding in arguing, it could take 3 months!
Instead, could everyone reading this check the visitors policy of their nearest hospital and send a quick email if it’s not in line with current guidance. I’ve made a template you could use.
Thanks everyone! And feel free to name and shame hospitals ignoring guidance on twitter! Or praise those who listen and make a change! Tag me in please perry_fleur
Wishing victory to all!
Template email – Change your hospital’s Visitor policy
to whom it may concern
Your visitors policy is not in line with current guidance.
NHS England’s visitor guidance was changed to permit access to “people who are in attendance to support the needs of the patient, for example a familiar carer/supporter/personal assistant”.
Here is the guidance: https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/visitor-guidance/
Following campaigning by dozens of disabled activists, this change was made to ensure that disabled people were not put at unnecessary risk, and to ensure that hospitals met their legal obligations under both the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998.
[Add something about why you need to be accompanied by someone who knows your needs when you go to hospital]
Please change your policy to respect the needs and rights of disabled people and ensure that your staff are able to carry out their roles in a lawful manner.
Yours faithfully
[Your name]
