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Disability Access Policy
How we can help you
Welcome to The Village Surgery. We want your visit to be a positive experience. We understand that some of our patients may be anxious about visiting the surgery, or have specific needs. Here is some information that may help to make your visit easier. If there are more things we can do to help, please let us know by sending an online consultation, telephone or call in to the surgery.
Neurodiversity-friendly
Our staff are trained in neurodiversity and hidden disabilities, and you will find them willing to help in order to make your visit more comfortable. We have sunflower lanyard posters in all our waiting rooms to raise awareness of hidden disability.
When you arrive – checking in
When you arrive at the surgery you have two options:
- Check in with the receptionist. You will need to check in by giving your name and date of birth. There may be a queue.
- Check in electronically. There are checking in machines on the wall at both surgeries close to the check in desks. You will be asked to confirm your date of birth and name. This is sometimes a quicker way to check in if there is a queue.
Harpenden Surgery
Our Harpenden surgery is on two levels, and you may be asked to wait either upstairs or downstairs, depending on where your clinician’s room is.
Upstairs can be accessed by stairs or lift. If you are a wheelchair user, or cannot manage the stairs and have a fear of lifts, please let us know when booking your appointment and we can arrange for you to be seen in a ground floor room.
Wheathampstead Surgery
Our Wheathampstead surgery is all on the ground floor. If you prefer to be seen at Wheathampstead instead of Harpenden, please let our reception team know.
Sensory information
Our surgeries have background relaxing music playing in our waiting rooms. You may also see television screens with educational health messages on.
If you are noise sensitive, you may find it helpful to bring some headphones to wear.
Photos of our GPs
Under the heading ‘meet the team’ on our website front page, you will find photos of our clinicians.
Unable to wait in the waiting room
Sometimes sitting in a waiting room can be very stressful. For example, you may have a neurodivergent child who finds it difficult to sit and wait, or you may be immunosuppressed. Please let us know if you would prefer to wait in your car. You can provide us with your mobile number so that the clinician can call you to come straight into their room when they are ready to see you.
We want you to have the best possible patient experience at our surgery.
We are here to help so please do let us know if you feel there are additional measures we could put in place.
If you have any additional needs please let our staff know so that we can help you, and also ensure you get the same support in the future.
Our practices in photos
Wheathampstead Surgery Waiting Room
Wheathampstead Surgery Waiting Room
The image shows the Wheathampstead Surgery waiting room, with blue chairs and white flooring.
Check In Screen
Check-In Screen
You will see a digital check-in screen in reception to allow you to tell us you are here without needing to go to the front desk.
Harpenden Surgery Reception Desk
Harpenden Surgery Reception Desk
When you visit us you can speak to our team to let us know you have arrived.
Nurses Room
Nurses Room
Our nurses will see you for your appointment in our consultation rooms.
A Typical Consulting Room
A Typical Consulting Room
In most appointments with a healthcare profecional you will be shown into a private consultation room where they can discuss your problem or need.
Stairway at Harpenden Surgery
Stairway at Harpenden Surgery
Some appointments may be taken upstairs at our Harpenden Surgery. Our stairs have secure handrails.
Lift at our Harpenden Surgery
Lift at our Harpenden Surgery
We have a lift at our Harpenden Surgery that can help you access the top floors.
Hallway
Hallway
Our practices have an accessible hallway that has some fire-break doors.
Harpenden Surgery Downstairs Waiting Room
Harpenden Surgery Downstairs Waiting Room
We have a waiting area that has green waiting chairs for you to sit and wait for your appointment.
Harpenden Surgery Upstairs Toilet
Harpenden Surgery Upstairs Toilet
Harpenden Surgery upstairs toilet to the right of the waiting room.
Harpenden Surgery Downstairs Toilet
Harpenden Surgery Downstairs Toilet
Harpenden Surgery downstairs toilet’s are situated to the rear of the waiting room.
Harpenden Surgery Groundfloor Toilet
Harpenden Surgery downstairs toilet’s are situated to the rear of the waiting room.
Wheelchair access
The Practice has been specially designed to make it easier for disabled patients to visit; patients also have access to a disabled toilet.
Disabled parking
Blue Badge Scheme
The Blue Badge Scheme is for people with severe mobility problems. It allows Blue Badge holders to park close to where they need to go.
For more information and an Application Form visit your local council office.
Hearing difficulties and loop system
If you are experiencing hearing difficulties when being called in to see the doctor or nurse, please do let us know in order for us to set up an alert on your medical records and personally collect you from the waiting room. Alternatively, we do have the facility of a portable induction loop. If you would like to use this, please ask at reception for assistance.
For more information on the loop hearing system visit the Hearing Link website.
Blind/partially sighted
If you or your family members are blind or partially sighted we can give you a CD or large print of our Practice leaflet upon request. Please ask our staff for further information.
For more advice and support for blind people please visit the following websites:
Guide dogs
Guide dogs are welcome at the Practice but we ask that you be aware of other patients and staff who may have an allergy or fear of dogs.
Please visit the Guide Dog website for further information.