Closing the gap: understanding low request rates and delivery of reasonable adjustments in primary care
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Healthwatch Surrey wanted to understand low request rates and delivery of reasonable adjustments in primary care. They spoke to 51 people at engagement events across Surrey.
Less than half of those who completed the survey knew what the term ‘reasonable adjustment’ meant. When the term was explained, three quarters of people said they had reason to request adjustments when accessing GP services.
Just under a quarter of those surveyed said that they needed adjustments to enable them to communicate with their GP.
People who had requested adjustments mainly did it by speaking to the practice receptionist (who didn’t always respond well) but there was confusion as to how to formally make a request.
Less than half of those asked said that their requests were met within one month, and Healthwatch heard mixed opinions on the changes that were made
Three quarters of people said that having learnt about reasonable adjustments by engaging with Healthwatch, they would ask for them to be put in place in the future.