Blue Badge scheme: An independent inquiry report summary

Healthwatch Devon collected experiences of local people that had found issues with the assessment process and outcomes for applications for Blue Badges - Parking badges for people with disabilities.

Individuals had contacted Citizens Advice because they were worried about the outcome of a recent Blue Badge assessment. Assessments had resulted in them not being eligible for a Blue Badge award, even though in some cases they had been eligible before. As Healthwatch Devon were collecting these experiences, they wrote to Devon County Council to request information about the assessment process and to

find out if they too had received similar concerns.

This is a summary of the full report.

Key findings included:

 An inconsistency in the quality of blue badge assessments.

 A lack of privacy, resulting in the process being uncomfortable and intimidating.

 The negative impact that being refused a Blue Badge can have on an individual’s health and wellbeing.

 Staff attitudes; a lack of dignity and respect. Individuals did not feel that their voice had been heard and that their needs had not been fully considered.

There were two recommendations made in the report:

 Devon County Council and Devon Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee review this report alongside any other evidence Devon

County Council holds in relation to people’s experiences of the Blue Badge assessment service.

 Devon County Council considers carrying out a review of the Blue Badge assessment process to identify what steps can be taken to improve the quality of the service for applicants.

The report contains a response from Devon County Council, where they accept the recommendations made.