Know Your Rights: Reasonable Adjustments in Healthcare

Under the Equality Act 2010, organisations have a legal duty to ensure their services are accessible to people with disabilities. This includes making reasonable adjustments—changes in how services are delivered so everyone can access care fairly and equally.

💡 What’s new?

A new information standard, published in December 2025, requires all publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), health, and social care providers to:

✔️ Record
✔️ Share
✔️ Act on

your reasonable adjustment needs through the National Care Records Service (NCRS).

🗓️ Deadline for implementation: 30 September 2026

This means your needs—such as communication support, longer appointments, or information in accessible formats—should be clearly recorded and consistently followed across services.

✅ Why this matters

You shouldn’t have to repeat your needs or face barriers when accessing care. These changes aim to make services more inclusive, consistent, and person-centred, ensuring you receive the support you are entitled to.

🤝 How Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire can help

If you feel services in Central Bedfordshire are not making the reasonable adjustments you need, we’re here to support you. We can:

✔️ Listen to your experience in confidence
✔️ Help you understand your rights
✔️ Signpost you to local complaints or advocacy services
✔️ Share your feedback with NHS and care providers to help improve services locally