Virtual access guides launched to help patients with accessibility needs

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) has launched a series of virtual access guides for the Horton General Hospital in Banbury and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (NOC) in Oxford to help those with physical and sensory needs better navigate the hospitals.

Working in partnership with AccessAble, with support from Oxford Hospitals Charity, the Trust has provided guides for more than 60 services, wards and departments across the two hospitals – 39 at the Horton General and 29 at the NOC.

These 'Detailed Access Guides' provide step-by-step information on routes and facilities within the hospitals. They are designed to make visits easier and more reassuring for patients, visitors and staff with a wide range of accessibility needs.

The guides are free to use on the OUH website (there’s an 'AccessAble' button when there’s a relevant guide for a department) and via the AccessAble website, which is fully optimised for mobile phones – making it simple to plan ahead or navigate while on-site.

It is hoped that further guides will be developed for other hospital sites.

Representatives from OUH, Oxford Hospitals Charity and AccessAble joined together at a launch event to unveil a plaque.

Simon Crowther, Interim Chief Executive Officer at OUH, said: "We want everyone who comes to our hospitals to feel confident and supported. These guides allow patients and visitors to plan ahead, reduce anxiety and focus on the reason for their visit.

"We would like to thank Oxford Hospitals Charity for fully funding this project, and to AccessAble for helping us make this possible. This new service supports our commitment to improving the experience for everyone who uses our services."

Douglas Graham, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: "We are here to support the Trust in providing the best possible care for patients, and making our hospitals as welcoming as possible.

"Reducing stress involved in a visit, especially for those worried about accessibility, is an important part of care, so we are delighted to have supported this important initiative which is now up and running at the Horton General and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre."

Each guide developed by AccessAble, the UK's leading provider of detailed accessibility information, is co-produced with disabled people to ensure every detail is accurate, relevant and empowering.

To achieve this, trained surveyors visit each site and capture comprehensive information on entrances, lifts, toilets, parking, lighting, assistive listening systems, signage and more. A period of full testing then took place, using volunteers.

Anna Nelson, Chief Executive at AccessAble, said: "Accessible healthcare starts with accessible information, and we’re proud to work with Oxford University Hospitals to make that a reality. We’re hugely grateful to Oxford Hospitals Charity for funding this work, to all Trust colleagues who have helped our team, and to the OUH Disability, Accessibility and Carers Staff Network for championing the initiative.

"It's been a true partnership, and we’re delighted to see the guides now live at the Horton and NOC. We look forward to hearing feedback and developing them further."

Pictured: From left, Leigh Williams (Co-Chair of the OUH Disability, Accessibility and Carers Staff Network), Clare Winch (Director of Assurance, OUH), Douglas Graham (Chief Executive Officer, Oxford Hospitals Charity), Simon Crowther (Interim Chief Executive Officer, OUH), Anna Nelson (Chief Executive Officer, AccessAble), Ellen Ilott (Customer Success Manager, AccessAble), Hazel Murray (Head of Programme, Oxford Hospitals Charity). Credit: Oxford Medical Illustration OUH NHS.