The Reasonable Adjustment Flag is a national NHS record that shows a person needs accommodations (i.e. disabilities/impairments which need to be taken into consideration during NHS care) and may include details about their impairments and necessary adjustments.
The Reasonable Adjustment Flag was developed in the NHS to enable health and care workers to record, share and view details of reasonable adjustments across the NHS, wherever the person is treated.
This service is for health and social care workers in any care setting who are treating patients that require reasonable adjustments, with the aim of ensuring their needs are considered and catered for.
How It Works
- The Flag is immediately visible to reception staff, when the patient is referred or presents for care, often when no other information is available.
- It will ensure that details of impairments and other key information (such as communication requirements) are shared consistently across the NHS – with patient consent.
- It also supports carers to feel less stressed by informing them of adjustments to services.
- It can help to reduce stress both for the patient and those treating them.
- Specialist teams will be able to set the Flag – driving up the number of patients recorded on registers, who are identified for and can benefit from adjustments. This will help screening services to adapt services to ensure patients receive screening.
Examples of use
A Reasonable Adjustment Flag is typically created by a GP, but can also be created by a range of health and care professionals including nurses and therapists from learning disability teams.
The Reasonable Adjustment Flag considers a range of adjustments and requirements for patients, including:
- a deaf patient who requires a communication device or BSL speaker
- a patient who is anxious in clinical settings and therefore may need additional considerations to keep them calm
- a patient who is sensitive to loud noises and would be more comfortable in a low noise environment
- alterations to buildings by providing lifts, wide doors, ramps for those who need an accessible way to access a service
- changes to policies, procedures and staff training to ensure that services work for people with physical or sensory disabilities, learning disabilities or long-term conditions such as dementia
As A Patient – How Do I Get A Reasonable Adjustment Flag?
To obtain a Reasonable Adjustment Flag, you need to have a discussion with your healthcare provider, such as a GP or other relevant professional, about your needs related to your health condition or disability. They will assess your situation and, if appropriate, create the flag on your patient record. Not all disabilities are visible, so you may need to make the NHS aware of your need.
More Info
The NHS has a set of guidance for its workers about the Reasonable Adjustment Flag. Bear in mind this info is for health care professionals. You can read it here.