PATIENTS WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS

At Cotswold Private GP Service, we are committed to providing safe, inclusive, and person-centred care for all our patients — including those with additional needs.

Whether you have a physical disability, learning difficulty, sensory impairment, mental health condition, or communication need, we are here to support you every step of the way.

How We Support You

We offer:

  • Longer appointments if you need more time

  • Home visits for patients who find it hard to travel

  • Accessible communication — large print, plain English, or audio options

  • Interpreters or support with English as a second language

  • Sensory-friendly options or quiet spaces when available

  • Involving careers or advocates, with your permission

Just let us know what would help.

Planning Your Care

We ask about any additional needs when you register with us. This helps us plan your care in a way that works for you. If your needs change, you can update us anytime. All our team members are trained to recognise and respond to additional needs with kindness, respect, and understanding.

Consent and Capacity

We follow national guidelines to make sure:

  • You are involved in all decisions about your care.

  • We assess and support your ability to make decisions if needed.

  • We involve your nominated carer or advocate if appropriate.

Staff Training

Our team completes regular training in:

  • Equality and diversity

  • Communication with patients with disabilities or learning needs

  • Mental capacity and informed consent

  • Autism and learning disability awareness

Feedback Welcome

If there is anything we can do to make your experience easier, please tell us. We welcome feedback from patients, families, and careers. If you have any concerns, you can also view our Complaints Procedure.

Interpreter Services

At Cotswold Private GP, we want every patient to feel understood, supported, and confident in their care — regardless of the language they speak.

We offer interpreter services for patients who:

·       Speak little or no English

·       Use British Sign Language (BSL)

·       Need support with understanding medical terminology in their preferred language

What We Offer

·       British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters (on request)

·       Spoken language interpreters (in-person, video, or telephone-based)

·       Translated written materials, where needed

·       Support for patients completing forms or understanding medical documents

How to Request an Interpreter

If you or someone you care for needs an interpreter:

·       Let us know when booking your appointment

·       Tell us your preferred language or communication method

·       We will arrange a suitable interpreter in advance, where possible

We will always do our best to accommodate your request and make your visit as smooth as possible.

Confidentiality and Quality

All interpreters we work with are:

·       Professionally trained

·       Bound by strict confidentiality agreements

·       Experienced in medical settings

Your privacy and comfort are always our priority

Chaperone Policy

Policy Statement

We are committed to maintaining professional standards and ensuring that all patients feel safe and respected during their consultations. All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination, or procedure where they feel one is required.

Patient Request for a Chaperone

  • Patients wishing to have a chaperone present must inform us at the time of booking their appointment or at least 24 hours in advance.

  • This allows us to make appropriate arrangements to ensure a trained chaperone is available.

Short Notice Requests

  • While we will always try to accommodate chaperone requests made at short notice, we cannot guarantee a trained chaperone will be immediately available.

  • In cases where a chaperone is requested during the consultation and one is not readily available, the consultation may need to be rescheduled to ensure appropriate support is provided.

When a Chaperone May Be Offered by the Clinician

  • A clinician may offer or insist on a chaperone being present if they consider it appropriate for clinical, safeguarding, or legal reasons.

  • If a patient declines a chaperone in such instances, the consultation may be postponed or modified.

Who Can Act as a Chaperone

  • Only appropriately trained clinical or non-clinical staff can act as formal chaperones.

  • Friends or family members may accompany the patient but do not act as official chaperones under this policy.

Documentation

  • The presence or absence of a chaperone will be recorded in the patient’s medical record, along with the name and role of the chaperone.

  • Any concerns or incidents will be documented and managed according to our safeguarding and complaints policies.

 Guide Dog and Assistance Dog Policy

Cotswold Private GP Service

1. Policy Statement

Cotswold Private GP Service is committed to ensuring equal access for all patients, including those with disabilities. We recognise the vital role that guide dogs and other assistance dogs play in supporting individuals with visual, hearing, or other impairments.

2. Legal Obligations

We comply with:

– The Equality Act 2010, which prohibits discrimination and requires reasonable adjustments for disabled individuals, including allowing assistance dogs in premises open to the public.

– NHS and CQC guidelines, even for private practices, which emphasise accessibility and inclusivity.

3. Access to Premises

– Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of the practice that patients can access.

– Staff will offer assistance, such as guiding patients to waiting areas or consultation rooms if needed.

4. Hygiene and Safety

– Assistance dogs must be clean and well-behaved.

– Consultation and treatment rooms will be cleaned appropriately after visits to maintain hygiene standards.

– In rare cases where a patient or staff member has a severe allergy to dogs, we will aim to provide alternative arrangements (e.g., schedule adjustments).

5. Staff Training

All staff receive training on:

– How to interact respectfully with patients using assistance dogs.

– Understanding the legal rights of disabled individuals.

– Responding appropriately to concerns from other patients.

6. Identification of Assistance Dogs

– Patients are encouraged (but not required) to ensure that assistance dogs wear appropriate identification (e.g., harness or jacket).

– Staff will not challenge the legitimacy of a dog if the patient identifies it as an assistance dog.

7. Feedback and Complaints

We welcome feedback and take all complaints seriously. Patients can raise concerns in person, via email, or by phone.