FabSwingers.com > Forums > The Lounge > Disability discrimination (yes, again!)

Disability discrimination (yes, again!)

By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

It's me again, the wheelie woman, banging on about access.

Today's story is a particularly excellent one. I went to my NHS doctor's surgery, after many cancelled/rearranged appointments, for my annual blood tests. I can't reorder my medication without it. When called to the room, the doorway was too narrow for my wheelchair to fit. The solution? I had my blood test taken in the corridor, while staff and patients came and went to other rooms.

Privacy? Dignity? Who cares when you're disabled, eh?

I complained on the way out and was fed a BS story about "we're going to be doing an accessibility check soon" and all that crap. You'd be surprised how many organisations are JUST on the cusp of doing something when you complain.

So, there we go folks. The NHS, fully accessible to all

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By *lark_KentMan over a year ago

Northampton

"It's me again, the wheelie woman, banging on about access.

Privacy? Dignity? Who cares when you're disabled, eh?

So, there we go folks. The NHS, fully accessible to all

That's awful and undignified. You would have thought you GP surgery would have know. About your accessibility needs as you are on their patient list. It's also disappointing they could not find a WC accessable room so your test could have been done in private

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple over a year ago

in Lancashire

It's not good enough, perhaps an email to the cqc or whomever the practice is responsible to might speed up their 'plans'?

Respect it's not a safeguarding issue..

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

For fuck's sake!

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By *ustamanMan over a year ago

weymouth

That's privatisation for you, GPS are individual companies and so infrastructure expenditure tends to be low priority

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"That's privatisation for you, GPS are individual companies and so infrastructure expenditure tends to be low priority

Precisely. With that in mind, we have the option to choose one that meets our needs. I wouldn't advise an elderly patient visit a surgery with stairs but no lift, for example.

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous.

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"That's privatisation for you, GPS are individual companies and so infrastructure expenditure tends to be low priority

Precisely. With that in mind, we have the option to choose one that meets our needs. I wouldn't advise an elderly patient visit a surgery with stairs but no lift, for example."

There isn't another one!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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By *ife NinjaMan over a year ago

Dunfermline

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous. "

The DDA has been law since 1995. You would think at least some effort might have been made to fo some building repairs/renovations to make access possible

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple over a year ago

in Lancashire

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

The DDA has been in place for 18 years with accessibility central to the act, not saying you are being unsympathetic but think it's a bit naive to expect members of society for whom access is a daily problem to relocate to other service providers..

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By *annaBeStrongMan over a year ago

wokingham

Your clearly too hench from all that wheeling

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"Your clearly too hench from all that wheeling "

My chair is an 18" seat, plus the extra width of the wheel rims. It's the width of the rims that stopped me. There was another wheelchair user waiting in the waiting room, in a chair much wider than mine. No idea if he was waiting for a blood test but he'd also have had no chance.

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By *idnight RamblerMan over a year ago

Pershore

That's strange, a standard door in UK is 30" wide whereas a standard wheelchair is 25" wide. Was there an obstruction or turning radius issue?

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By *annaBeStrongMan over a year ago

wokingham

"Your clearly too hench from all that wheeling

Did you try going through sideways? That’s what I have to do after a Decent back day

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By *alcon43Woman over a year ago

Paisley

You certainly wouldn’t get an electric wheelchair in the surgery then.

That’s shocking that they haven’t widened even one consulting room door that can be used by a wheelchair user. We never know when any of us could end up in a wheelchair.

I’d complain to the practice manager. I thought all buildings that had to comply with access would’ve have been done by now.

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"That's strange, a standard door in UK is 30" wide whereas a standard wheelchair is 25" wide. Was there an obstruction or turning radius issue?"

Nope, just a simple narrow doorway. All other doors to doctors rooms in the practice are fine. My wheelchair is 70cm wide at the widest part. That's 27.5 inches.

There's no such thing as a standard wheelchair. These are custom items, made for the user's measurements. Mine is an 18" seat width (45.7cm) plus the width of the wheels and rims.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous. "

Thank you for clarifying. I didn't know it was a polyclinic nor am I aware of what the differences are between that and any other GP clinics even if you had mentioned it in the first place.

I am aware many cannot use crutches. I was asking you if you could as I was addressing your grievance here.

If there were other rooms that were suitable, could you have refused to have had the test done until they took in into one of the other rooms?

If you had had to disrobe, it's rather silly to think they would even entertain the idea of having you do it in a corridor, hence I'm not sure what your point is except to abase my post.

"I find this very rude and presumptuous." It doesn't surprise me in the least that you do. In your posts about your disability, I find you quick to jump down anyone's throat because they ask questions or may disagree with you somewhat. For all you know, I or someone I know may have disabilities to contend with and may be speaking from experience in terms of choices.

There I shall leave it.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

That's awful, I'm sorry Mrs KC. Thinking about it, from what I remember of my Drs office, I doubt a wheelchair would fit through most of that either. Especially the actual room the Dr sits in, I've only been once but don't remember it being very big.

Pxx

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

I asked to go to a different room.

Reply - all full

Do you really think I would just sit and accept being dealt with in a corridor without asking for alternatives? The surgery themselves have cancelled and rearranged this appointment several times and now it's critical it's done today because I can't get a repeat prescription without it.

If people find me intolerant then I truly hope people don't find themselves in the situation of becoming disabled and needing to use mobility equipment, because fuck me, you'd have a culture shock.

Yes, I expect to be able to go to my GP surgery and have a blood test in privacy. I don't expect to sit in the corridor in my wheelchair.

Yes, I expect to be able to use public transport (but I can't where I live due to the lack of lifts at railway stations and the reduction in bus services).

Yes, I expect to be able to go shopping and access things like restaurants, leisure establishments etc. If you think that's intolerant or whatever, then I think it's your attitude that needs to be reviewed.

Yours truly,

A pissed off disabled person.

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By *annaBeStrongMan over a year ago

wokingham

Do you need the rims on the wheels? I know it’s in fashion to have alloys and stuff but really, for functionality can’t you just have bare wheels

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By *otSoPoshWoman over a year ago

In a ball gown because that's how we roll in N. Devon

"That's strange, a standard door in UK is 30" wide whereas a standard wheelchair is 25" wide. Was there an obstruction or turning radius issue?

Nope, just a simple narrow doorway. All other doors to doctors rooms in the practice are fine. My wheelchair is 70cm wide at the widest part. That's 27.5 inches.

There's no such thing as a standard wheelchair. These are custom items, made for the user's measurements. Mine is an 18" seat width (45.7cm) plus the width of the wheels and rims. "

You mean every wheelchair user doesn't have exactly the same size butt?

Well bugger me backwards and call me Mavis

On a serious note, that is utter shit. And I really would write a complaint letter. To the practice manager in the first instance and then the local NHS trust as well.

As you know, my Dad is also on wheels, but he is distinctly larger than you. And his wheels are electric. We expect him to not be able to get through a lot of doors, and as a result make adjustments, concessions and often costly changes to things and to plans. But that's not the norm. I'd expect anyone in a chair slimmer than 22" seat with regular rims to be able to get through a door somewhere like a doctors surgery ffs. And if you couldn't, I'd expect them to find a better solution than the corridor. Even adding a screen would have been better.

Some places can't be made accessible to all, we know that. But the majority of places can be made accessible to the majority of people with different access needs, and medical centres should absolutely be set up for that.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

Changing dr's is really not as simple as it sounds in most places. None of the GP surgeries in my area will accept new patients if they are already registered with a Dr in the area. Doesn't matter what the reason may be, once we're registered, we can't change. It was brought in due to COVID and it's been left like that.

Pxx

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"Do you need the rims on the wheels? I know it’s in fashion to have alloys and stuff but really, for functionality can’t you just have bare wheels "

The rims are for self propelling! I wouldn't be able to move without them

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

Chair now visible in the avatar. The rims for self propelling are the black rubber-covered bits on the edge of the wheel.

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By *idnight RamblerMan over a year ago

Pershore

"That's strange, a standard door in UK is 30" wide whereas a standard wheelchair is 25" wide. Was there an obstruction or turning radius issue?

Nope, just a simple narrow doorway. All other doors to doctors rooms in the practice are fine. My wheelchair is 70cm wide at the widest part. That's 27.5 inches.

Fair enough, it's surprising a public building, especially a clinic, has a door opening 700mm.

There's no such thing as a standard wheelchair. These are custom items, made for the user's measurements. Mine is an 18" seat width (45.7cm) plus the width of the wheels and rims. "

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"That's strange, a standard door in UK is 30" wide whereas a standard wheelchair is 25" wide. Was there an obstruction or turning radius issue?

Nope, just a simple narrow doorway. All other doors to doctors rooms in the practice are fine. My wheelchair is 70cm wide at the widest part. That's 27.5 inches.

Fair enough, it's surprising a public building, especially a clinic, has a door opening 700mm.

There's no such thing as a standard wheelchair. These are custom items, made for the user's measurements. Mine is an 18" seat width (45.7cm) plus the width of the wheels and rims. "

It's surprising, but true. All the other consultation rooms I've been in have been fine. The building was built in 1993, it's not a very recent one. As I said before, the room being used for blood tests today had previously been an office before the COVID pandemic.

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By *wisted999Man over a year ago

North Bucks

That is shite.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Bloody disabled people taking all are in person appointments!!

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By *annaBeStrongMan over a year ago

wokingham

"Chair now visible in the avatar. The rims for self propelling are the black rubber-covered bits on the edge of the wheel."

Well now I see the issue. Went to the GP naked and with a basketball? Probably thought you were there to start shit

I’d hand thrown you out by the scruff of your wheels

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"Bloody disabled people taking all are in person appointments!! "

I know! Maybe I'll ask for a telephone blood test next time?

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"Chair now visible in the avatar. The rims for self propelling are the black rubber-covered bits on the edge of the wheel.

Well now I see the issue. Went to the GP naked and with a basketball? Probably thought you were there to start shit

I’d hand thrown you out by the scruff of your wheels "

I put shoes on

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"That's strange, a standard door in UK is 30" wide whereas a standard wheelchair is 25" wide. Was there an obstruction or turning radius issue?

Nope, just a simple narrow doorway. All other doors to doctors rooms in the practice are fine. My wheelchair is 70cm wide at the widest part. That's 27.5 inches.

There's no such thing as a standard wheelchair. These are custom items, made for the user's measurements. Mine is an 18" seat width (45.7cm) plus the width of the wheels and rims. "

This sounds more promising. If all the other doorways are accessible maybe it was just really unlucky they were in the narrow one?

Also lucky it wasn't a smear test.

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By *naswingdressWoman over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

"I asked to go to a different room.

Reply - all full

If people find me intolerant then I truly hope people don't find themselves in the situation of becoming disabled and needing to use mobility equipment, because fuck me, you'd have a culture shock.

Yes, I expect to be able to go to my GP surgery and have a blood test in privacy. I don't expect to sit in the corridor in my wheelchair.

Yes, I expect to be able to use public transport (but I can't where I live due to the lack of lifts at railway stations and the reduction in bus services).

Yours truly,

A pissed off disabled person."

You deserve equity. We need to do better. I'm sorry.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 04/08/22 12:30:50]

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Bloody disabled people taking all are in person appointments!!

I know! Maybe I'll ask for a telephone blood test next time? "

Bloody disabled people clogging up the phone lines!

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"That's strange, a standard door in UK is 30" wide whereas a standard wheelchair is 25" wide. Was there an obstruction or turning radius issue?

Nope, just a simple narrow doorway. All other doors to doctors rooms in the practice are fine. My wheelchair is 70cm wide at the widest part. That's 27.5 inches.

There's no such thing as a standard wheelchair. These are custom items, made for the user's measurements. Mine is an 18" seat width (45.7cm) plus the width of the wheels and rims.

This sounds more promising. If all the other doorways are accessible maybe it was just really unlucky they were in the narrow one?

Also lucky it wasn't a smear test. "

I had the smear last year

I could get in the room for that. She couldn't find my cervix, but that's a totally different issue

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"Bloody disabled people taking all are in person appointments!!

I know! Maybe I'll ask for a telephone blood test next time?

Bloody disabled people clogging up the phone lines!"

Twice!! Sorry, I shall ask for email blood tests from now on

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

That's so so bad. Can't you take it further?

Miss S x

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"That's strange, a standard door in UK is 30" wide whereas a standard wheelchair is 25" wide. Was there an obstruction or turning radius issue?

Nope, just a simple narrow doorway. All other doors to doctors rooms in the practice are fine. My wheelchair is 70cm wide at the widest part. That's 27.5 inches.

There's no such thing as a standard wheelchair. These are custom items, made for the user's measurements. Mine is an 18" seat width (45.7cm) plus the width of the wheels and rims.

This sounds more promising. If all the other doorways are accessible maybe it was just really unlucky they were in the narrow one?

Also lucky it wasn't a smear test.

I had the smear last year

I could get in the room for that. She couldn't find my cervix, but that's a totally different issue

Ffs why didn't you take your cervix with you?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"It's me again, the wheelie woman, banging on about access.

Privacy? Dignity? Who cares when you're disabled, eh?

So, there we go folks. The NHS, fully accessible to all

So go to the equality commission. The legislation is now 12 years old, so the number of cases being upheld is growing all the time.

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"That's strange, a standard door in UK is 30" wide whereas a standard wheelchair is 25" wide. Was there an obstruction or turning radius issue?

Nope, just a simple narrow doorway. All other doors to doctors rooms in the practice are fine. My wheelchair is 70cm wide at the widest part. That's 27.5 inches.

There's no such thing as a standard wheelchair. These are custom items, made for the user's measurements. Mine is an 18" seat width (45.7cm) plus the width of the wheels and rims.

This sounds more promising. If all the other doorways are accessible maybe it was just really unlucky they were in the narrow one?

Also lucky it wasn't a smear test.

I had the smear last year

I could get in the room for that. She couldn't find my cervix, but that's a totally different issue

Ffs why didn't you take your cervix with you?

It nearly fell out

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous.

Thank you for clarifying. I didn't know it was a polyclinic nor am I aware of what the differences are between that and any other GP clinics even if you had mentioned it in the first place.

I am aware many cannot use crutches. I was asking you if you could as I was addressing your grievance here.

If there were other rooms that were suitable, could you have refused to have had the test done until they took in into one of the other rooms?

If you had had to disrobe, it's rather silly to think they would even entertain the idea of having you do it in a corridor, hence I'm not sure what your point is except to abase my post.

There I shall leave it."

Even if you do have disabilities not all disabilities look the same and we all have very different needs. The poster isn't doing any of the things you claim just telling you higher personal experience.

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By *akingMemoriesMan over a year ago

Toronto

Awful to hear…I’ll assume you don’t vote Tory?

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By *idnight RamblerMan over a year ago

Pershore

"That's strange, a standard door in UK is 30" wide whereas a standard wheelchair is 25" wide. Was there an obstruction or turning radius issue?

Nope, just a simple narrow doorway. All other doors to doctors rooms in the practice are fine. My wheelchair is 70cm wide at the widest part. That's 27.5 inches.

Fair enough, it's surprising a public building, especially a clinic, has a door opening 700mm.

There's no such thing as a standard wheelchair. These are custom items, made for the user's measurements. Mine is an 18" seat width (45.7cm) plus the width of the wheels and rims.

Well if it's a temporary Covid inconvenience, I suppose we've all suffered that, no?

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By *ad NannaWoman over a year ago

East London

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous.

Thank you for clarifying. I didn't know it was a polyclinic nor am I aware of what the differences are between that and any other GP clinics even if you had mentioned it in the first place.

I am aware many cannot use crutches. I was asking you if you could as I was addressing your grievance here.

If there were other rooms that were suitable, could you have refused to have had the test done until they took in into one of the other rooms?

If you had had to disrobe, it's rather silly to think they would even entertain the idea of having you do it in a corridor, hence I'm not sure what your point is except to abase my post.

There I shall leave it."

If she could have used crutches do you not think she would have, instead of having her blood taken in a corridor?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

When you got to the room and realised you couldn't get the wheelchair in you should have demanded they go and find somewhere more suitable.

Guaranteed they had an empty room with better accessibility needs that could have been used. A corridor isn't sterile and you should have point blank refused to have been treated in one.

They should have found somewhere else even if it meant your appointment was delayed.

Complaining on the way out after its been done unfortunately in this day and age rarely gets you anywhere now whether you are disabled or not they rarely deal with complaints properly.

You need to refuse in future and make them do their job correctly going forward.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Thats absolutely awful! Also I'm sorry that you Ve had some of the comments that you have had on this thread. What people need to understand is disabled people are still people! We often have full lives, Families, Friends, Hobbies, Jobs and medical needs like everybody else and should be able to access them in a dignified and Safe way. I would definitely make this a formal complaint.

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By *iamondCougarWoman over a year ago

Norfuck! / Lincolnshire

"That's privatisation for you, GPS are individual companies and so infrastructure expenditure tends to be low priority

They are not privatised! You just wait til that happens! Each surgery is a GP partnership under the NHS guidance and a contract

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"That's strange, a standard door in UK is 30" wide whereas a standard wheelchair is 25" wide. Was there an obstruction or turning radius issue?

Nope, just a simple narrow doorway. All other doors to doctors rooms in the practice are fine. My wheelchair is 70cm wide at the widest part. That's 27.5 inches.

Fair enough, it's surprising a public building, especially a clinic, has a door opening 700mm.

There's no such thing as a standard wheelchair. These are custom items, made for the user's measurements. Mine is an 18" seat width (45.7cm) plus the width of the wheels and rims.

Well if it's a temporary Covid inconvenience, I suppose we've all suffered that, no?"

It seems pretty permanent from now on. The room that had been for blood tests is now the office of the practice pharmacist and all others are GPs, physios and other such things.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous.

Thank you for clarifying. I didn't know it was a polyclinic nor am I aware of what the differences are between that and any other GP clinics even if you had mentioned it in the first place.

I am aware many cannot use crutches. I was asking you if you could as I was addressing your grievance here.

If there were other rooms that were suitable, could you have refused to have had the test done until they took in into one of the other rooms?

If you had had to disrobe, it's rather silly to think they would even entertain the idea of having you do it in a corridor, hence I'm not sure what your point is except to abase my post.

There I shall leave it.

If she could have used crutches do you not think she would have, instead of having her blood taken in a corridor?"

The point is she shouldn't have to.

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"Awful to hear…I’ll assume you don’t vote Tory?"

I certainly do not, nor does Mr KC nor our son.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"When you got to the room and realised you couldn't get the wheelchair in you should have demanded they go and find somewhere more suitable.

Guaranteed they had an empty room with better accessibility needs that could have been used. A corridor isn't sterile and you should have point blank refused to have been treated in one.

They should have found somewhere else even if it meant your appointment was delayed.

Complaining on the way out after its been done unfortunately in this day and age rarely gets you anywhere now whether you are disabled or not they rarely deal with complaints properly.

You need to refuse in future and make them do their job correctly going forward.

Why should she have to refuse? Disabled people have to fight every single day for various things and in different situations. It shouldn't be a case of having to fight to be treated in the same way as everyone else and with dignity.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

God that’s disgraceful! And at a medical venue as well. Surely they’d regularly have people in chairs needing to access it?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"When you got to the room and realised you couldn't get the wheelchair in you should have demanded they go and find somewhere more suitable.

Guaranteed they had an empty room with better accessibility needs that could have been used. A corridor isn't sterile and you should have point blank refused to have been treated in one.

They should have found somewhere else even if it meant your appointment was delayed.

Complaining on the way out after its been done unfortunately in this day and age rarely gets you anywhere now whether you are disabled or not they rarely deal with complaints properly.

You need to refuse in future and make them do their job correctly going forward.

Thats not what I said, read it properly

Refuse to NOT HAVE any privacy!

So yes refuse to have a blood test done in the corridor so they find a suitable room .

Don't agree to being treated like that.

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By *iamondCougarWoman over a year ago

Norfuck! / Lincolnshire

I agree Mrs KC - although without being as aggressive as others posting probably would of been, you might have requested an alternative private area. It would of been well within reason

Perhaps a letter to the Care Quality Commission and your local CCG ( or ICBs) as they are now

Bet you rolled your eyes

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Those of you that seem to think that this is OK and unreasonable For the OP to be upset about this are missing a major point. It is a legal requirement for places to provide reasonable adjustments, Doing a medical procedure in a public corridor is not a reasonable adjustment! Finding an alternative room would have been, Even stopping access to the corridor while this was being done would have been better but not ideal. I am assuming those making comments saying it is somehow the OP's fault have never faced discrimination or been put in a vulnerable situation simply because they have a disability.

Being able to access goods and services should not be something any of us should have to fight for.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

And I find it bewildering that people are saying ‘have you tried this’ or ‘could you do that’. How about they make sure all areas where patients need access accessible?

In 2022? and in medical centres of all places they should be already!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"When you got to the room and realised you couldn't get the wheelchair in you should have demanded they go and find somewhere more suitable.

Guaranteed they had an empty room with better accessibility needs that could have been used. A corridor isn't sterile and you should have point blank refused to have been treated in one.

They should have found somewhere else even if it meant your appointment was delayed.

Complaining on the way out after its been done unfortunately in this day and age rarely gets you anywhere now whether you are disabled or not they rarely deal with complaints properly.

You need to refuse in future and make them do their job correctly going forward.

Thats not what I said, read it properly

Refuse to NOT HAVE any privacy!

So yes refuse to have a blood test done in the corridor so they find a suitable room .

Don't agree to being treated like that. "

And you are missing the point because this should never have happened.

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"I agree Mrs KC - although without being as aggressive as others posting probably would of been, you might have requested an alternative private area. It would of been well within reason

Perhaps a letter to the Care Quality Commission and your local CCG ( or ICBs) as they are now

Bet you rolled your eyes

I did ask for another room and was told none were free. The practice have delayed my appointment several times and I've run out of medication repeats. Without doing the test today, I'd be without medication. The phlebotomist was either unable to unwilling to find another room, she said none were available.

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By *naswingdressWoman over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

"And I find it bewildering that people are saying ‘have you tried this’ or ‘could you do that’. How about they make sure all areas where patients need access accessible?

In 2022? and in medical centres of all places they should be already!"

Yes.

I'm sure someone who lives this has thought of all of these things, and *they shouldn't have to because the surgery should obey the fucking law*

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"When you got to the room and realised you couldn't get the wheelchair in you should have demanded they go and find somewhere more suitable.

Guaranteed they had an empty room with better accessibility needs that could have been used. A corridor isn't sterile and you should have point blank refused to have been treated in one.

They should have found somewhere else even if it meant your appointment was delayed.

Complaining on the way out after its been done unfortunately in this day and age rarely gets you anywhere now whether you are disabled or not they rarely deal with complaints properly.

You need to refuse in future and make them do their job correctly going forward.

Thats not what I said, read it properly

Refuse to NOT HAVE any privacy!

So yes refuse to have a blood test done in the corridor so they find a suitable room .

Don't agree to being treated like that.

And you are missing the point because this should never have happened. "

Exactly my point!

Maybe don't always jump in when your not getting what I've said the first time.

A whole doctors surgery with no other spare rooms is nonsense, it's down to a lazy member of staff not wanting to do their job properly and find one.

Enjoy your day Lorna as I give up

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman over a year ago

The Town by The Cross

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

Please engage your brain.

A disabled person should not be discriminated against and that involves having to travel (car, bus , plane ???? and all that excess ) to another surgery out of the neighbourhood.

Mind you ...... I think she should have asked for her fanny to have the once over and when they did it in the corridor everyone could have watched n hubby could have videoed n wanked.

Every cloud n that.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"When you got to the room and realised you couldn't get the wheelchair in you should have demanded they go and find somewhere more suitable.

Guaranteed they had an empty room with better accessibility needs that could have been used. A corridor isn't sterile and you should have point blank refused to have been treated in one.

They should have found somewhere else even if it meant your appointment was delayed.

Complaining on the way out after its been done unfortunately in this day and age rarely gets you anywhere now whether you are disabled or not they rarely deal with complaints properly.

You need to refuse in future and make them do their job correctly going forward.

Thats not what I said, read it properly

Refuse to NOT HAVE any privacy!

So yes refuse to have a blood test done in the corridor so they find a suitable room .

Don't agree to being treated like that.

And you are missing the point because this should never have happened.

Exactly my point!

Maybe don't always jump in when your not getting what I've said the first time.

A whole doctors surgery with no other spare rooms is nonsense, it's down to a lazy member of staff not wanting to do their job properly and find one.

Enjoy your day Lorna as I give up "

I think you need to read what you have written again because it's patronising. Do you not think the op tried all these things? I'm not jumping down your throat I am simply saying this should never have happened and you saying why didn't you try this or you should have done that isn't helpful.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"When you got to the room and realised you couldn't get the wheelchair in you should have demanded they go and find somewhere more suitable.

Guaranteed they had an empty room with better accessibility needs that could have been used. A corridor isn't sterile and you should have point blank refused to have been treated in one.

They should have found somewhere else even if it meant your appointment was delayed.

Complaining on the way out after its been done unfortunately in this day and age rarely gets you anywhere now whether you are disabled or not they rarely deal with complaints properly.

You need to refuse in future and make them do their job correctly going forward.

Thats not what I said, read it properly

Refuse to NOT HAVE any privacy!

So yes refuse to have a blood test done in the corridor so they find a suitable room .

Don't agree to being treated like that.

And you are missing the point because this should never have happened.

Exactly my point!

Maybe don't always jump in when your not getting what I've said the first time.

A whole doctors surgery with no other spare rooms is nonsense, it's down to a lazy member of staff not wanting to do their job properly and find one.

Enjoy your day Lorna as I give up

Have a good day Lorna

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"When you got to the room and realised you couldn't get the wheelchair in you should have demanded they go and find somewhere more suitable.

Guaranteed they had an empty room with better accessibility needs that could have been used. A corridor isn't sterile and you should have point blank refused to have been treated in one.

They should have found somewhere else even if it meant your appointment was delayed.

Complaining on the way out after its been done unfortunately in this day and age rarely gets you anywhere now whether you are disabled or not they rarely deal with complaints properly.

You need to refuse in future and make them do their job correctly going forward.

Thats not what I said, read it properly

Refuse to NOT HAVE any privacy!

So yes refuse to have a blood test done in the corridor so they find a suitable room .

Don't agree to being treated like that.

And you are missing the point because this should never have happened.

Exactly my point!

Maybe don't always jump in when your not getting what I've said the first time.

A whole doctors surgery with no other spare rooms is nonsense, it's down to a lazy member of staff not wanting to do their job properly and find one.

Enjoy your day Lorna as I give up

Have a good day Lorna

See patronising! No need for it.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Firstly, it’s shit that that happened to you, I’m really sorry to hear that it did.

However, most people fail to understand the amount of process, litigation, transparent tendering, red-tape, and cost involved in performing even the smallest building alterations in a publicly owned building, such as widening a doorway.

I would challenge that this wasn’t what the practice, or estates manager deemed to be a practical use of money in the interests of the collective, given that funding is on its arse, and you have stated the building could have other areas accessible to you for use.

DDA requirements state that an organisation must ‘make a reasonable adjustment to allow you access to goods, facilities, and services.’ I don’t know the building history or their budget but in absence of this information, it’s not unreasonable to suggest it has been assessed and deemed unreasonable to make the modification.

At most, your treatment should have been moved to another suitable room, or rescheduled appropriately with the potential of some inconvenience obviously.

Unless you were treated with contempt or malice, then calling this ‘discrimination’ is deliberately volatile and inflammatory, when it sounds more in the realms of misjudgement or mismanagement.

Attacking people with genuine questions like ‘could you have gone elsewhere?’ when the North West is a bloody big place, doesn’t do much to coddle a great deal of empathy either.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Firstly, it’s shit that that happened to you, I’m really sorry to hear that it did.

At most, your treatment should have been moved to another suitable room, or rescheduled appropriately with the potential of some inconvenience obviously.

Unless you were treated with contempt or malice, then calling this ‘discrimination’ is deliberately volatile and inflammatory, when it sounds more in the realms of misjudgement or mismanagement.

Attacking people with genuine questions like ‘could you have gone elsewhere?’ when the North West is a bloody big place, doesn’t do much to coddle a great deal of empathy either."

They don't get to decide whether it is a practical use of money because it is the law! I would say refusing to find another room and treating someone in a public corridor is treating someone with malice and contempt. The op has not attacked anyone and I am finding this thread and some of these comments outrageous and from very privileged people that clearly don't have to fight every single day just to be able to live their lives with dignity!

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By *xploring_FunWoman over a year ago

Coventry

It’s very random to have accessible GP rooms, but the office isn’t. I guess that says a lot about the chance of them employing anyone in a wheelchair!

It’s ridiculous how many things like this happen. Working in a hospital I should have been aware of things more, but when my late husband ended up in a wheelchair it was shocking how many places were completely inaccessible. And the number of places that stated they were accessible, but actually weren’t.

I would complain to the practise manager if I were you. If they’re going to use an entirely unsuitable room they need to make sure they don’t book patients into it who can’t access it.

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

The practice is a large "polyclinic". It serves a population of over 22,000 people and it is the only practice in this area. It provides GP services, plus basic physio, scans and other similar services. I have no choice about the practice I attend, which I have already explained.

I have been able to access other rooms in the practice, as I also already explained.

This blood test HAS been rearranged. Not by me, but by the practice. Three times since MAY. I have to have it before I can acquire repeat prescriptions and I have now run out of repeats.

They know I'm a wheelchair user. I have been for 4yrs.

I attended the appointment.

I could not get in the room.

I asked to go to another room.

The phlebotomist said there are no free rooms.

I had the choice of going away and not having the test and running out of medication (thyroxine, if you must know) OR having it done in the corridor.

I cannot miss taking my thyroxine and I now have less than a full week's supply.

It's not my fault that the repeats have run out, I first made an appointment in May!

It's ridiculous that anyone thinks this is acceptable situation in the 21st century. My chair is a fairly basic manual chair. It's not especially wide. It doesn't have any big batteries or mega handles on it that might obstruct. It's a standard manual wheelchair (a Kuschall K4, if you wish to look it up). It has an 18" seat.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous.

Thank you for clarifying. I didn't know it was a polyclinic nor am I aware of what the differences are between that and any other GP clinics even if you had mentioned it in the first place.

I am aware many cannot use crutches. I was asking you if you could as I was addressing your grievance here.

If there were other rooms that were suitable, could you have refused to have had the test done until they took in into one of the other rooms?

If you had had to disrobe, it's rather silly to think they would even entertain the idea of having you do it in a corridor, hence I'm not sure what your point is except to abase my post.

There I shall leave it."

You were rude and presumptuous. And the response you received was warranted. You spoke about disability as though it's a preference you can change your mind about, not a daily reality.

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By *uncherUKMan over a year ago

Woodford

Appalling!

Time to make your local councillors and MP earn their crust. Maybe get hold of the local press if one still exists. Aren’t there agencies that support wheelchair users? Ask for their advice?

Good luck!

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By *naswingdressWoman over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

"Firstly, it’s shit that that happened to you, I’m really sorry to hear that it did.

At most, your treatment should have been moved to another suitable room, or rescheduled appropriately with the potential of some inconvenience obviously.

Unless you were treated with contempt or malice, then calling this ‘discrimination’ is deliberately volatile and inflammatory, when it sounds more in the realms of misjudgement or mismanagement.

Attacking people with genuine questions like ‘could you have gone elsewhere?’ when the North West is a bloody big place, doesn’t do much to coddle a great deal of empathy either."

I hope that everyone in this thread is treated with the empathy that they display in this thread, when they have additional needs

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By *naswingdressWoman over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

"The practice is a large "polyclinic". It serves a population of over 22,000 people and it is the only practice in this area. It provides GP services, plus basic physio, scans and other similar services. I have no choice about the practice I attend, which I have already explained.

I have been able to access other rooms in the practice, as I also already explained.

This blood test HAS been rearranged. Not by me, but by the practice. Three times since MAY. I have to have it before I can acquire repeat prescriptions and I have now run out of repeats.

They know I'm a wheelchair user. I have been for 4yrs.

I attended the appointment.

I could not get in the room.

I asked to go to another room.

The phlebotomist said there are no free rooms.

I had the choice of going away and not having the test and running out of medication (thyroxine, if you must know) OR having it done in the corridor.

I cannot miss taking my thyroxine and I now have less than a full week's supply.

It's not my fault that the repeats have run out, I first made an appointment in May!

I take thyroxine and hell no

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By *ohn KanakaMan over a year ago

Not all that North of North London

[Removed by poster at 04/08/22 13:24:29]

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By *ohn KanakaMan over a year ago

Not all that North of North London

There's some really depressing and at times what almost feels actively hostile ableism in this thread

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By *naswingdressWoman over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

"There's some really depressing and at times what almost feels actively hostile ableism in this thread

Agreed

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"There's some really depressing and at times what almost feels actively hostile ableism in this thread

Indeed.

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman over a year ago

The Town by The Cross

"There's some really depressing and at times what almost feels actively hostile ableism in this thread

I don't think people are deliberate in their actions....... just ignorant.

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By *jorkishMan over a year ago

Seaforth

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous. "

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By *amantha_JadeWoman over a year ago

Newcastle

That’s disgraceful. I’m really sorry this has happened to you. Could you contact PALS? (Patient Advisory Liason Service)?

It’s terrible that they don’t have facilities in place for those with additional needs. Blood tests aren’t optional, they’re essential, it’s not like you can just go without and your appointment should take place in a private, dignified and clean environment.

I hope you put in a formal complaint and changes are made.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous.

Thank you for clarifying. I didn't know it was a polyclinic nor am I aware of what the differences are between that and any other GP clinics even if you had mentioned it in the first place.

I am aware many cannot use crutches. I was asking you if you could as I was addressing your grievance here.

If there were other rooms that were suitable, could you have refused to have had the test done until they took in into one of the other rooms?

If you had had to disrobe, it's rather silly to think they would even entertain the idea of having you do it in a corridor, hence I'm not sure what your point is except to abase my post.

There I shall leave it.

You were rude and presumptuous. And the response you received was warranted. You spoke about disability as though it's a preference you can change your mind about, not a daily reality. "

You presume disability isn't a daily reality for me and that I do not speak from experience.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"There's some really depressing and at times what almost feels actively hostile ableism in this thread

I don't think people are deliberate in their actions....... just ignorant.

I agree however the OP has explained the difficulties to them yet they carry on and the way many have felt the need to talk down to the OP and "explain" things to her is horrible. This is why posts like this are really important but people need to take on board what is being said rather than sticking to their view but somehow it's the disabled person's fault.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous.

Thank you for clarifying. I didn't know it was a polyclinic nor am I aware of what the differences are between that and any other GP clinics even if you had mentioned it in the first place.

I am aware many cannot use crutches. I was asking you if you could as I was addressing your grievance here.

If there were other rooms that were suitable, could you have refused to have had the test done until they took in into one of the other rooms?

If you had had to disrobe, it's rather silly to think they would even entertain the idea of having you do it in a corridor, hence I'm not sure what your point is except to abase my post.

There I shall leave it.

You were rude and presumptuous. And the response you received was warranted. You spoke about disability as though it's a preference you can change your mind about, not a daily reality.

You presume disability isn't a daily reality for me and that I do not speak from experience."

Just because you may be speaking from your experience doesn't mean others can't speak from theirs and the reality is they may well be different.

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By *naswingdressWoman over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous.

Thank you for clarifying. I didn't know it was a polyclinic nor am I aware of what the differences are between that and any other GP clinics even if you had mentioned it in the first place.

I am aware many cannot use crutches. I was asking you if you could as I was addressing your grievance here.

If there were other rooms that were suitable, could you have refused to have had the test done until they took in into one of the other rooms?

If you had had to disrobe, it's rather silly to think they would even entertain the idea of having you do it in a corridor, hence I'm not sure what your point is except to abase my post.

There I shall leave it.

You were rude and presumptuous. And the response you received was warranted. You spoke about disability as though it's a preference you can change your mind about, not a daily reality.

You presume disability isn't a daily reality for me and that I do not speak from experience."

So your disability and life circumstances are identical to OPs, and you know exactly how she has learned to manage her circumstances?

Fascinating.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous.

Thank you for clarifying. I didn't know it was a polyclinic nor am I aware of what the differences are between that and any other GP clinics even if you had mentioned it in the first place.

I am aware many cannot use crutches. I was asking you if you could as I was addressing your grievance here.

If there were other rooms that were suitable, could you have refused to have had the test done until they took in into one of the other rooms?

If you had had to disrobe, it's rather silly to think they would even entertain the idea of having you do it in a corridor, hence I'm not sure what your point is except to abase my post.

There I shall leave it.

You were rude and presumptuous. And the response you received was warranted. You spoke about disability as though it's a preference you can change your mind about, not a daily reality.

You presume disability isn't a daily reality for me and that I do not speak from experience.

So your disability and life circumstances are identical to OPs, and you know exactly how she has learned to manage her circumstances?

Fascinating."

I daresay how we manage our experiences differ, certainly.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous.

Thank you for clarifying. I didn't know it was a polyclinic nor am I aware of what the differences are between that and any other GP clinics even if you had mentioned it in the first place.

I am aware many cannot use crutches. I was asking you if you could as I was addressing your grievance here.

If there were other rooms that were suitable, could you have refused to have had the test done until they took in into one of the other rooms?

If you had had to disrobe, it's rather silly to think they would even entertain the idea of having you do it in a corridor, hence I'm not sure what your point is except to abase my post.

There I shall leave it.

You were rude and presumptuous. And the response you received was warranted. You spoke about disability as though it's a preference you can change your mind about, not a daily reality.

You presume disability isn't a daily reality for me and that I do not speak from experience.

So your disability and life circumstances are identical to OPs, and you know exactly how she has learned to manage her circumstances?

Fascinating.

I daresay how we manage our experiences differ, certainly."

If as disabled people we all sit back and just accept we will not be treated with dignity or respect then we are seriously in the shit.

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"That’s disgraceful. I’m really sorry this has happened to you. Could you contact PALS? (Patient Advisory Liason Service)?

I hope you put in a formal complaint and changes are made. "

I complained verbally to the practice manager and it will be followed up in writing. Fabbers who know their onions have sent advice via PM which I will be taking also. Thank you for your advice too.

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous.

Thank you for clarifying. I didn't know it was a polyclinic nor am I aware of what the differences are between that and any other GP clinics even if you had mentioned it in the first place.

I am aware many cannot use crutches. I was asking you if you could as I was addressing your grievance here.

If there were other rooms that were suitable, could you have refused to have had the test done until they took in into one of the other rooms?

If you had had to disrobe, it's rather silly to think they would even entertain the idea of having you do it in a corridor, hence I'm not sure what your point is except to abase my post.

There I shall leave it.

You were rude and presumptuous. And the response you received was warranted. You spoke about disability as though it's a preference you can change your mind about, not a daily reality.

You presume disability isn't a daily reality for me and that I do not speak from experience.

So your disability and life circumstances are identical to OPs, and you know exactly how she has learned to manage her circumstances?

Fascinating.

I daresay how we manage our experiences differ, certainly.

And you know how she should manage her experiences on what basis?

I have disabilities too. I know fuck all about how OP manages her disability/ies because they differ so significantly from mine. "

Perhaps it might help if you were to pinpoint what it is you wish to address regarding my posts. On what basis have I presumed what you have alluded to in my posts? I have asked the OP some questions, she replied and I addressed her reply, accusing me of rudeness and presumption.

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By *naswingdressWoman over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

"That’s disgraceful. I’m really sorry this has happened to you. Could you contact PALS? (Patient Advisory Liason Service)?

I hope you put in a formal complaint and changes are made.

I complained verbally to the practice manager and it will be followed up in writing. Fabbers who know their onions have sent advice via PM which I will be taking also. Thank you for your advice too."

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By *iss KinkWoman over a year ago

North West

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

There should be disability access and don’t you think if the person could use crutches they would. Can’t believe you even posted that tbh

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

There should be disability access and don’t you think if the person could use crutches they would. Can’t believe you even posted that tbh"

What can't you believe? The OP has said she is able to use crutches in other posts. Was I wrong is asking if she could in this case?

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous.

Thank you for clarifying. I didn't know it was a polyclinic nor am I aware of what the differences are between that and any other GP clinics even if you had mentioned it in the first place.

I am aware many cannot use crutches. I was asking you if you could as I was addressing your grievance here.

If there were other rooms that were suitable, could you have refused to have had the test done until they took in into one of the other rooms?

If you had had to disrobe, it's rather silly to think they would even entertain the idea of having you do it in a corridor, hence I'm not sure what your point is except to abase my post.

There I shall leave it.

You were rude and presumptuous. And the response you received was warranted. You spoke about disability as though it's a preference you can change your mind about, not a daily reality.

You presume disability isn't a daily reality for me and that I do not speak from experience."

Then I'm afraid you should know better.

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

There should be disability access and don’t you think if the person could use crutches they would. Can’t believe you even posted that tbh

What can't you believe? The OP has said she is able to use crutches in other posts. Was I wrong is asking if she could in this case?"

I use crutches for very brief transitions, e.g. from car to chair and back again. When I'm on my own (as I was this morning), I can't carry the crutches AND self propel AND get into the surgery so my crutches were not available for me to use. I'm currently in a massive flare up of my pelvic issues and I cannot even stand unaided. Sometimes I can stand and achieve small distances on foot unaided, but I can't right now.

Does that make you happy? Would you like more about my personal medical situation?

If there had been an option to NOT sit in a corridor this morning, I'd have taken it.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Some of you should really learn to listen and open your minds to everyone asking valid questions instead of simply jumping down their throats with your judgments and accusations. We don't all share the same views and asking questions is exactly how we learn.

I am paralysed from the waist down. I have been since a skiing accident when I was 22. That is 32 years of wheelchair use, rather longer than the 4 years the OP has had. That is not to detract from her experience of it.

In terms of changes, we have come a mighty long way in my time. We aren't there yet but I accept that I cannot be catered for everywhere. However, I see people make an effort and offers of help when they have overlooked my access issues. I don't feel discriminated against.

Those who have berated me as rude, presumptuous, idiotic, whatever else negatively accused, I appreciate that your heart is in the right place, fighting the disabled person's corner. However, able bodied people have rights too and I accept that there are limits at times. Mistakes and oversight can also be made by people thinking of catering to the majority.

Some of us like to have a rant at every issue encountered. More power to them. I was asking questions of the OP that I have encountered myself and found solutions to. I wondered if she could not have done so.

I would have thought that "RIP BikerDrew" would have raised people's awareness that behind a username is a sentient being.

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

There should be disability access and don’t you think if the person could use crutches they would. Can’t believe you even posted that tbh

What can't you believe? The OP has said she is able to use crutches in other posts. Was I wrong is asking if she could in this case?

Does that make you happy? Would you like more about my personal medical situation?

If there had been an option to NOT sit in a corridor this morning, I'd have taken it. "

You don't need to tell him or anyone else anything more - your OP was more than sufficient and I am sorry that you went through that and had hassle in this thread.

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By *annaBeStrongMan over a year ago

wokingham

"Some of you should really learn to listen and open your minds to everyone asking valid questions instead of simply jumping down their throats with your judgments and accusations. We don't all share the same views and asking questions is exactly how we learn.

I would have thought that "RIP BikerDrew" would have raised people's awareness that behind a username is a sentient being."

Remember, respect people with disabilities because you have no idea what they are going though

And if you ask questions to try to understand, you’ll have your head chopped off

So be polite, don’t ask questions, and if they look like they need help, don’t bother, because you’ll offend them by asking, you’ll offend them if you don’t, so just run away, preferably over cobblestones

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I would have thought that "RIP BikerDrew" would have raised people's awareness that behind a username is a sentient being.

Remember, respect people with disabilities because you have no idea what they are going though

And if you ask questions to try to understand, you’ll have your head chopped off

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

I would have thought that "RIP BikerDrew" would have raised people's awareness that behind a username is a sentient being.

Remember, respect people with disabilities because you have no idea what they are going though

And if you ask questions to try to understand, you’ll have your head chopped off

Nah, cobblestone are perfectly do-able, even hills

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I would have thought that "RIP BikerDrew" would have raised people's awareness that behind a username is a sentient being.

Remember, respect people with disabilities because you have no idea what they are going though

And if you ask questions to try to understand, you’ll have your head chopped off

He asked a question and it was answered, He didn't like the answer. Yeah nobody was offended by him asking questions they were offended by his responses that were actually quite rude.

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By *annaBeStrongMan over a year ago

wokingham

I would have thought that "RIP BikerDrew" would have raised people's awareness that behind a username is a sentient being.

Remember, respect people with disabilities because you have no idea what they are going though

And if you ask questions to try to understand, you’ll have your head chopped off

Nah, cobblestone are perfectly do-able, even hills

I’ll up the defences then. Snake pits

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I would have thought that "RIP BikerDrew" would have raised people's awareness that behind a username is a sentient being.

Remember, respect people with disabilities because you have no idea what they are going though

And if you ask questions to try to understand, you’ll have your head chopped off

He asked a question and it was answered, He didn't like the answer. Yeah nobody was offended by him asking questions they were offended by his responses that were actually quite rude. "

He wanted details from Mrs KC - she felt like she had to give more info about the situation after his multiple challenging questions - but only said he was in a wheelchair in a flouncing leaving post. I don't have empathy for him, sorry.

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

I would have thought that "RIP BikerDrew" would have raised people's awareness that behind a username is a sentient being.

Remember, respect people with disabilities because you have no idea what they are going though

And if you ask questions to try to understand, you’ll have your head chopped off

Nah, cobblestone are perfectly do-able, even hills

I’ll up the defences then. Snake pits "

Not tried that one, but I'll give it a go. Snake fangs won't touch the tyres

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By *naswingdressWoman over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

There should be disability access and don’t you think if the person could use crutches they would. Can’t believe you even posted that tbh

What can't you believe? The OP has said she is able to use crutches in other posts. Was I wrong is asking if she could in this case?

Does that make you happy? Would you like more about my personal medical situation?

If there had been an option to NOT sit in a corridor this morning, I'd have taken it.

You don't need to tell him or anyone else anything more - your OP was more than sufficient and I am sorry that you went through that and had hassle in this thread.

Agreed

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By *tooveMan over a year ago

belfast

"It's me again, the wheelie woman, banging on about access.

Privacy? Dignity? Who cares when you're disabled, eh?

So, there we go folks. The NHS, fully accessible to all

People actually complained when we got disabled access put into the boxing club.

NHS not having it is a joke. Hopefully you made a complaint about it.

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"It's me again, the wheelie woman, banging on about access.

Privacy? Dignity? Who cares when you're disabled, eh?

So, there we go folks. The NHS, fully accessible to all

People actually complained when we got disabled access put into the boxing club.

NHS not having it is a joke. Hopefully you made a complaint about it. "

In what way did people complain?! I'd love to give wheelchair boxing a go. I did some Zoom fitness thingies in lockdown, which were hosted by a wheelchair boxing group.

I complained verbally and written complaint coming after work today.

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By *tooveMan over a year ago

belfast

"It's me again, the wheelie woman, banging on about access.

Privacy? Dignity? Who cares when you're disabled, eh?

So, there we go folks. The NHS, fully accessible to all

People actually complained when we got disabled access put into the boxing club.

NHS not having it is a joke. Hopefully you made a complaint about it.

In what way did people complain?! I'd love to give wheelchair boxing a go. I did some Zoom fitness thingies in lockdown, which were hosted by a wheelchair boxing group.

I complained verbally and written complaint coming after work today. "

Said it was stupid and no one would use it. I told them to fuck off if they didn't like it. Didn't affect them in any way.

Only ever used a couple of times by a woman but was worth it for those times.

You should give it a go.

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"It's me again, the wheelie woman, banging on about access.

Privacy? Dignity? Who cares when you're disabled, eh?

So, there we go folks. The NHS, fully accessible to all

People actually complained when we got disabled access put into the boxing club.

NHS not having it is a joke. Hopefully you made a complaint about it.

In what way did people complain?! I'd love to give wheelchair boxing a go. I did some Zoom fitness thingies in lockdown, which were hosted by a wheelchair boxing group.

I complained verbally and written complaint coming after work today.

Said it was stupid and no one would use it. I told them to fuck off if they didn't like it. Didn't affect them in any way.

Only ever used a couple of times by a woman but was worth it for those times.

You should give it a go. "

If I can find time and an accessible gym, I'd definitely give it a bash (pun intended

)

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By *tooveMan over a year ago

belfast

"It's me again, the wheelie woman, banging on about access.

Privacy? Dignity? Who cares when you're disabled, eh?

So, there we go folks. The NHS, fully accessible to all

People actually complained when we got disabled access put into the boxing club.

NHS not having it is a joke. Hopefully you made a complaint about it.

In what way did people complain?! I'd love to give wheelchair boxing a go. I did some Zoom fitness thingies in lockdown, which were hosted by a wheelchair boxing group.

I complained verbally and written complaint coming after work today.

Said it was stupid and no one would use it. I told them to fuck off if they didn't like it. Didn't affect them in any way.

Only ever used a couple of times by a woman but was worth it for those times.

You should give it a go.

If I can find time and an accessible gym, I'd definitely give it a bash (pun intended

Brilliant if you're stressed. Also very good for you though it's hard.

Good luck.

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By *adyJayneWoman over a year ago

Burnleyish (She/They)

"There's some really depressing and at times what almost feels actively hostile ableism in this thread

Agreed"

Unfortunately, it's just a snippet of the ableism many of us face every single day.

I went out today on my mobilty scooter for the first time ever.

It's taken a fair amount of time to get over my own internalised ableism... Not 4 minutes out of the door I hear someone commenting on how I "don't look disabled and how I'm just making it difficult for those who really need scooters"

I very nearly just went home and cried.

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"It's me again, the wheelie woman, banging on about access.

Privacy? Dignity? Who cares when you're disabled, eh?

So, there we go folks. The NHS, fully accessible to all

People actually complained when we got disabled access put into the boxing club.

NHS not having it is a joke. Hopefully you made a complaint about it.

In what way did people complain?! I'd love to give wheelchair boxing a go. I did some Zoom fitness thingies in lockdown, which were hosted by a wheelchair boxing group.

I complained verbally and written complaint coming after work today.

Said it was stupid and no one would use it. I told them to fuck off if they didn't like it. Didn't affect them in any way.

Only ever used a couple of times by a woman but was worth it for those times.

You should give it a go.

If I can find time and an accessible gym, I'd definitely give it a bash (pun intended

)

Brilliant if you're stressed. Also very good for you though it's hard.

Good luck. "

I do a bit of punching with my PT in our weekly gym session, him with pads but it's basic. I can't move around and punch in my day chair, on the surface in the gym (it's kinda squishy).

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"There's some really depressing and at times what almost feels actively hostile ableism in this thread

Agreed

Unfortunately, it's just a snippet of the ableism many of us face every single day.

I went out today on my mobilty scooter for the first time ever.

I very nearly just went home and cried. "

So sorry you've experienced that today. Please try not to be dissuaded and carry on using your scooter

PS: mobility scooters are really fun to razz around on in shopping centres....

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"It's me again, the wheelie woman, banging on about access.

Privacy? Dignity? Who cares when you're disabled, eh?

So, there we go folks. The NHS, fully accessible to all

Omg this is awful!

As you said that the other rooms in the surgery had wider doors why didn't they just take you to one of the other rooms and bring the equipment there to do your blood test?

This is so bad, please make a formal complaint

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I tried to read through all the comments but it was actually annoying me that the OP was having to justify their reasons for being in a wheelchair and what medication they needed following the blood test.

This should not have happened full stop.

There is no "you should of done this" or " you should of don't that"

We don't know how we would of reacted in this situation because it hasn't happened to us so maybe let's have a bit of sympathy toward OP for being put in a situation that they should never of been put in under any circumstances!

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By *adyJayneWoman over a year ago

Burnleyish (She/They)

"There's some really depressing and at times what almost feels actively hostile ableism in this thread

Agreed

Unfortunately, it's just a snippet of the ableism many of us face every single day.

I went out today on my mobilty scooter for the first time ever.

I very nearly just went home and cried.

So sorry you've experienced that today. Please try not to be dissuaded and carry on using your scooter

PS: mobility scooters are really fun to razz around on in shopping centres....

Thank you!

It won't put me off... I was away last weekend and as we were in a city did more walking than I've done in months...

I've spent this week in pain and exhausted, i can't deny I need one, it's not in the moment for me so much as the post exetional malaise that comes with ME.

I'm looking forward to whizzing around places, it seems so much faster than 4mph!

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I tried to read through all the comments but it was actually annoying me that the OP was having to justify their reasons for being in a wheelchair and what medication they needed following the blood test.

This should not have happened full stop.

There is no "you should of done this" or " you should of don't that"

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

This should not have happened full stop.

There is no "you should of done this" or " you should of don't that"

This.

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"There's some really depressing and at times what almost feels actively hostile ableism in this thread

Agreed

Unfortunately, it's just a snippet of the ableism many of us face every single day.

I went out today on my mobilty scooter for the first time ever.

I very nearly just went home and cried. "

So sorry to hear this. I hope you go out again tomorrow and enjoy the freedom your scooter gives you - and fuck the haters.

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"There's some really depressing and at times what almost feels actively hostile ableism in this thread

Agreed

Unfortunately, it's just a snippet of the ableism many of us face every single day.

I went out today on my mobilty scooter for the first time ever.

I very nearly just went home and cried.

So sorry you've experienced that today. Please try not to be dissuaded and carry on using your scooter

PS: mobility scooters are really fun to razz around on in shopping centres....

Thank you!

It won't put me off... I was away last weekend and as we were in a city did more walking than I've done in months...

I've spent this week in pain and exhausted, i can't deny I need one, it's not in the moment for me so much as the post exetional malaise that comes with ME.

I'm looking forward to whizzing around places, it seems so much faster than 4mph!"

I am sorry this happened and I am sorry that it will happen again.

I have learnt to just feel sorry for people who are clearly very ignorant. X

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"There's some really depressing and at times what almost feels actively hostile ableism in this thread

Agreed

Unfortunately, it's just a snippet of the ableism many of us face every single day.

I went out today on my mobilty scooter for the first time ever.

I very nearly just went home and cried.

So sorry you've experienced that today. Please try not to be dissuaded and carry on using your scooter

PS: mobility scooters are really fun to razz around on in shopping centres....

Thank you!

It won't put me off... I was away last weekend and as we were in a city did more walking than I've done in months...

I've spent this week in pain and exhausted, i can't deny I need one, it's not in the moment for me so much as the post exetional malaise that comes with ME.

I'm looking forward to whizzing around places, it seems so much faster than 4mph!"

Ooooooooo try an 8mph one

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Sorry to hear you had to go through this. I feel they should have found you anywhere they could that was behind a door to give you some privacy. Let's hope they change their ways.

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

This should not have happened full stop.

There is no "you should of done this" or " you should of don't that"

Thank you.

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"There's some really depressing and at times what almost feels actively hostile ableism in this thread

Agreed

Unfortunately, it's just a snippet of the ableism many of us face every single day.

I went out today on my mobilty scooter for the first time ever.

I very nearly just went home and cried.

So sorry you've experienced that today. Please try not to be dissuaded and carry on using your scooter

PS: mobility scooters are really fun to razz around on in shopping centres....

Thank you!

It won't put me off... I was away last weekend and as we were in a city did more walking than I've done in months...

I've spent this week in pain and exhausted, i can't deny I need one, it's not in the moment for me so much as the post exetional malaise that comes with ME.

I'm looking forward to whizzing around places, it seems so much faster than 4mph!"

How fast does yours go?

What do disabled people look like anyway. Hope you went out and smiled at the grumpy sods as you overtook them.

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By *ad NannaWoman over a year ago

East London

Ring them up every day and ask what they're doing about the door to the phlebotomy room that wheelchairs can't get through.

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By *iss SinWoman over a year ago

portchester

This is REALLY bad and I’m shocked it happened in this day and age

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

I've sent the written complaint just now

Reply privately (closed, thread got too big)

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I would have thought that "RIP BikerDrew" would have raised people's awareness that behind a username is a sentient being."

I think you were SirMount. Hope you are ok.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I've sent the written complaint just now

Good. Please keep us updated if you get a response.

Pxx

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 04/08/22 20:46:05]

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I also think it's important to remember that 14.1 million people in the uk have some form of disability. Not all of those will need adaptations or adjustments however we are not talking about a tiny portion of society.

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By *XXDREAMMan over a year ago

sudbury

That was a wheelie long read, perhaps an inconvenience, but I don't think they discriminated against anyone in the correct terms, in conclusion I feel the posts more bait than anything

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"That was a wheelie long read, perhaps an inconvenience, but I don't think they discriminated against anyone in the correct terms, in conclusion I feel the posts more bait than anything "

Are you being serious! You don't think treating this woman in a different way simply because she's in a wheelchair and couldn't access the room she was discriminated against?

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By *XXDREAMMan over a year ago

sudbury

"That was a wheelie long read, perhaps an inconvenience, but I don't think they discriminated against anyone in the correct terms, in conclusion I feel the posts more bait than anything

Are you being serious! You don't think treating this woman in a different way simply because she's in a wheelchair and couldn't access the room she was discriminated against?

Isn't that assuming, that no person without a disability, has ever had a blood test outside of a room, I've had one in the waiting room before, so you're wrong anyway.

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By *ister CMan over a year ago

liverpool

"Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but not everyone can be catered for everywhere. However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?

It's a "polyclinic", there is no other GP surgery in our local area. It caters for over 22,000 people.

And no, I could not go in on crutches. Do you realise there are many wheelchair users who cannot walk at all? Would you ask them to use crutches?

I can get into every other room at the surgery but they decided to put blood tests in what was previously an office, it would seem.

It's a good job I didn't need to disrobe to have the test.

"However, there are alternatives that we can choose for ourselves, aren't there?"

No, there are not and I find this very rude and presumptuous.

The DDA has been law since 1995. You would think at least some effort might have been made to fo some building repairs/renovations to make access possible

Youre making assumptions on the building... is it new build or refurb... dda essentially meant a percentage of the rooms are accessible. Not all... because it worked on a percentage basis originally.

Its since changed.

Tbh op I think your being a little winey about the whole deal... its a blood test not a camera up the bum...

Ok the door to the converted office is too small... theyre in a converted office cos somethings wrong space is a premium...

Its not right I know... but really get over yourself and stop embracing victimhood

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"That was a wheelie long read, perhaps an inconvenience, but I don't think they discriminated against anyone in the correct terms, in conclusion I feel the posts more bait than anything

Are you being serious! You don't think treating this woman in a different way simply because she's in a wheelchair and couldn't access the room she was discriminated against?

Isn't that assuming, that no person without a disability, has ever had a blood test outside of a room, I've had one in the waiting room before, so you're wrong anyway. "

No I'm not wrong because as the op said everyone else was treated in the room she was not able to be. If everybody was being treated in the waiting room then it wouldn't be discrimination and I have to say attitudes like yours are why stories like this needs to be told. This is a clear case of discrimination as they have a legal obligation to treat her in a dignified way and treating her in a corridor when she didn't want to be is not dignified. Also they have a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments, A reasonable adjustment would have been to find an alternative room.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Absolutely disgusted by some of the attitudes on this thread. Try living your life with a disability and Then see how you feel. A few of you have the audacity to say the OP is making assumptions while doing the same. Why don't you borrow a wheelchair for the day and see how well you get on and how you are treated you may well find you will see things very differently!

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By *XXDREAMMan over a year ago

sudbury

"Absolutely disgusted by some of the attitudes on this thread. Try living your life with a disability and Then see how you feel. A few of you have the audacity to say the OP is making assumptions while doing the same. Why don't you borrow a wheelchair for the day and see how well you get on and how you are treated you may well find you will see things very differently! "

Have you got one too hand, be nice to sit down all day

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Have you got one too hand, be nice to sit down all day"

No I don't have one and I won't engage with people that are simply here to belittle.

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By *XXDREAMMan over a year ago

sudbury

Have you got one too hand, be nice to sit down all day

No I don't have one and I won't engage with people that are simply here to belittle. "

I think you're making yourself look a bit of a bellend to be honest, one minute you're talking about not all disabilities are visible, the next you're assuming people aren't disabled based on little too no evidence, that is its self is discrimination, perhaps, try reading a book.

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By *oubleswing2019Man over a year ago

Colchester

[Removed by poster at 05/08/22 00:45:18]

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By *oubleswing2019Man over a year ago

Colchester

[Removed by poster at 05/08/22 00:45:21]

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By *oubleswing2019Man over a year ago

Colchester

Things I have learned on this thread.

1. The OP was denied fair and equitable access that non-disabled people could access with no impediments. That is discrimination.

2. The surgery treated her with a lower-level of patient care and compromised patient safety. Probably medical safety too.

3. The surgery placed themselves, the patient, and indeed other patients/staff in a very awkward and potentially dangerous situation by conducting a procedure in a CORRIDOR. You know corridors ? They are critical for fast egress of a building in the event of a fire or other emergency. Have you seen a herd of people charge in panic for fire and other exits ? It's not pretty. The fire escape considerations have not been discussed previously.

Other things I have learned.

4. Even other disabled people, who one would consider allies and having empathy, are not guaranteed to do so.

5. Ableism and ignorance have not gone away and show no signs of doing so anytime soon.

I'm sorry KC for your awful experience, and I'm sorry some posters on this thread have been spiteful and hurtful.

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By *agneto.Man over a year ago

Bham

"...

2. The surgery treated her with a lower-level of patient care and compromised patient safety. Probably medical safety too.

It was a blood test not a gynaecological exam or open heart surgery.

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By *oubleswing2019Man over a year ago

Colchester

It's irrelevant what sort of test it was.

It was conducted in a corridor.

Fire regulations are complex and wide-ranging, but exits and routes need to be kept clear.

A horde of panicking folks charging for an exit is pandemonium. People get hurt.

We need to discuss, pre-empt and be mindful of these things, because when we don't, the resulting investigation typically ends with "lessons have been learnt". We need to avoid getting to that stage in the first place.

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By *agneto.Man over a year ago

Bham

"It's irrelevant what sort of test it was.

It was conducted in a corridor.

Fire regulations are complex and wide-ranging, but exits and routes need to be kept clear.

A horde of panicking folks charging for an exit is pandemonium. People get hurt.

In that case can we outlaw people standing in corridors at any time, sometimes they have seats in the corridor while you wait to be called, get those seats removed, there could be a horde of charging folks any minute.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"...

2. The surgery treated her with a lower-level of patient care and compromised patient safety. Probably medical safety too.

It was a blood test not a gynaecological exam or open heart surgery. "

Doesn't matter.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"It's irrelevant what sort of test it was.

It was conducted in a corridor.

Fire regulations are complex and wide-ranging, but exits and routes need to be kept clear.

A horde of panicking folks charging for an exit is pandemonium. People get hurt.

You and others are missing the point! It's not everybody that was treated like this just her simply because she was in a wheelchair.

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By *oubleswing2019Man over a year ago

Colchester

Do you need a hug Magneto ? You don't sound too good, nor cognisant of Fire Regulations and Safety in The Work Place. Regulations that employers need to maintain to protect themselves and the general public. As well as maintain buildings insurance. I'm not sure your flippancy was well-served in this serious thread and I think your efforts would have been more appropriate on a light-hearted thread elsewhere. Time and a place for everything, as they say.

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By *agneto.Man over a year ago

Bham

"Do you need a hug Magneto ? You don't sound too good, nor cognisant of Fire Regulations and Safety in The Work Place. Regulations that employers need to maintain to protect themselves and the general public. As well as maintain buildings insurance. I'm not sure your flippancy was well-served in this serious thread and I think your efforts would have been more appropriate on a light-hearted thread elsewhere. Time and a place for everything, as they say.

No thank you I don't need a hug nor to be patronised thank you. You're the one banging on about fire regs when the grievance is about wheelchair access and perceived discrimination.

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By *oubleswing2019Man over a year ago

Colchester

Apologies if you felt patronised. You were flippant and deliberately so.

If you can be bothered to scroll up to my very first post, item 1 mentions the both the OP's access difficulty AND discrimination. Item 1. Front and centre. I don't think I could have made it any clearer than that. Clearly I underestimated some people's comprehension of what a list of items means in the context of the discussion.

I am talking about not just the OP's grievance, but other factors where the surgery failed her AS WELL. We're both on the same side here. I assume you are supportive of her situation ? So am I. So when you support someone, you look at their situation and find other supportive issues on the periphery.

There is so much wrong with how the OP was treated, and broadening the scope of the situation to see the wider impact is an important part of situational analysis.

No thank you I don't need a hug nor to be patronised thank you. You're the one banging on about fire regs when the grievance is about wheelchair access and perceived discrimination. "

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By *oubleswing2019Man over a year ago

Colchester

I'll add that I am also aware this is going off topic. I'd prefer for the sake of the OP that it veers back on track please, thank you.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Other things I have learned.

4. Even other disabled people, who one would consider allies and having empathy, are not guaranteed to do so.

I don't think it's a case of not having empathy. Empathy simply means having the ability to put yourself in another person shoes and see things from their point of view. It doesn't require you to agree with them. It is hard to imagine how a person who has used a wheelchair for 30 years could possibly not understand the issues faced by Mrs KC and frankly I think it's laughable that anyone without that experience dares to suggest otherwise.

It is completely reasonable that one disabled person feels that being forced to have a blood test in a corridor is discriminatory and another with nearly identical access issues and almost certainly many years of similar experiences sees it as just part and parcel of every day life, sees it as unfortunate but not a big issue.

Take away the disability aspect and consider as an example two people who have the same accident, both call for an ambulance, both are made to wait in pain for 6 hours as there are no ambulances available. One person starts a forum thread justifiably complaining about the wait. They are of course totally correct that they shouldn't have been made to wait in pain for hours. They would be completely correct to say the ambulance service failed to meet its statutory duty. The second person could equally reasonably come on the thread and say something like the ambulance service is well known to be struggling with serious issues at the moment and is simply doing the best it can in the circumstances. They could ask if there had been an alternative way around the problem such as asking a family member/friend to drive the person to hospital They could equally go on to say that although they didn't find the experience easy themselves, they don't think it is something to complain about, more a case of accepting life isn't fair all the time. None of those reactions mean they are in the wrong or without empathy, they just have a different outlook on the same situation.

As we are talking about empathy, maybe it might be a time to consider why this poster has gone UNLOS, why he felt the need to reference Bikerdrew, how having an entire thread full of people being unpleasant to him made him feel? How we would feel if after 30 years of paralysis we were shut down by a bunch of people who have no idea at all what our life is like but who told us we were wrong to express our opinion on the issues faced by people in wheelchairs.

Let's just hope that in a few days time there isn't another ex wife coming on here to let people know another one has gone.

Totally agree with your points re keeping fire access clear though in this situation we don't know how wide the corridor was and whether Mrs KC had her test in a space that didn't impede emergency egress.

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By *iamondCougarWoman over a year ago

Norfuck! / Lincolnshire

Bloody hell

I’m sure Mrs KC didn’t intend for some of you to get your weapons out when she posted this thread.

Why do some threads bring out such angsty posts and angry people!

Lay down your weapons folks!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

1 thing I will say.

This has been an amazing filter thread

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Bloody hell

I’m sure Mrs KC didn’t intend for some of you to get your weapons out when she posted this thread.

Why do some threads bring out such angsty posts and angry people!

Lay down your weapons folks! "

I'd like to say it's shocking but it isn't. Lots of attitudes like those on this thread exists and it's unacceptable.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Other things I have learned.

4. Even other disabled people, who one would consider allies and having empathy, are not guaranteed to do so.

Let's just hope that in a few days time there isn't another ex wife coming on here to let people know another one has gone.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Other things I have learned.

4. Even other disabled people, who one would consider allies and having empathy, are not guaranteed to do so.

Let's just hope that in a few days time there isn't another ex wife coming on here to let people know another one has gone.

I'm surprised at your comment. Did you read the thread? With regard to SirMount, now UNLOS - the OP said she found his comments rude and presumptuous. I agreed. That was it. NOT the entire thread being unpleasant to him. He decided to leave and make a dramatic statement about posters dying because of that. He didn't say when originally posting that he was also in a wheelchair. He offered no sympathy or understanding. He was unpleasant about the OP and then left the site. It was not a pile on.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Other things I have learned.

4. Even other disabled people, who one would consider allies and having empathy, are not guaranteed to do so.

Let's just hope that in a few days time there isn't another ex wife coming on here to let people know another one has gone.

An entire thread of people being unpleasant to him?

Or the OP saying that she found his comments rude and a couple of other people agreeing that he was being rude to the OP?

If someone is openly rude to someone on the forums they should be able to handle people openly telling them that they are being rude.

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By *naswingdressWoman over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

"1 thing I will say.

This has been an amazing filter thread

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

I wasn't rude to SirMount. He made sweeping assumptions about my disability and about the situation, which I stated as such.

No, I cannot change GP surgeries

No, I could not use crutches

No, I did not have a choice (due to the 3x cancelled prior appointments rendering yesterday's absolutely essential)

I really do think that using a manual wheelchair for a week (a day is not enough) should be mandatory as part of becoming an adult. Before I acquired my disability at the age of 31, I thought I understood, I thought I had empathy etc. I did not. Until you are in that situation, you honestly don't have a clue (even if your mum/sister/best friend is a wheelchair user too).

Every little thing that I do and everywhere I go, I have to plan in minute detail because so many places are not wheelchair accessible. When you have been used to coming and going freely, as you wish, but suddenly that has to change, that's really hard to deal with. The fact that many things you used to do become completely impossible and you rely on help from your husband or your son is also incredibly hard to stomach.

I'm actually sat waiting now for Mr KC to help me put my shoes on because at the moment, I can't do it myself. I hate it. No, I abhor it. I don't want to need help putting my fucking shoes on.

I don't think it is unreasonable to expect that when you attend an NHS medical appointment, that you can access it and you can be treated in a safe and dignified way. Sitting in a busy corridor with people coming and going from other rooms is not safe or dignified. We rightly get annoyed by stories of elderly people waiting on trollies in A&E corridors, don't we? Why is it not okay for Granny but okay for me?

Anyway, I have to get ready for work.

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By *hetalkingstoveMan over a year ago

London

It's depressing the number of people who, when hearing about a bad thing that happened to someone, will challenge and nitpick what that person did rather than just sympathise.

Someone could say "I was walking home from the shops and suddenly an escaped tiger jumped out and mauled me!" and there'd be one of these of these types saying "hmm, you weren't carrying tiger repellent?"

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By *naswingdressWoman over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

"It's depressing the number of people who, when hearing about a bad thing that happened to someone, will challenge and nitpick what that person did rather than just sympathise.

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By *ellinever70Woman over a year ago

Ayrshire

"It's depressing the number of people who, when hearing about a bad thing that happened to someone, will challenge and nitpick what that person did rather than just sympathise.

Sympathy doesn't offer practical solutions

Some people appreciate those

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Wow, i just read the full thread and genuinely amazed by some of the comments

I hope you get some positive action from your complaint Mrs KC.. It shouldn't be difficult for them to either plan a shuffle of services /rooms (and make a note in their system that the office is not accessible to all) or widen the doorframe.

You shouldn't have had to experience this, but on the plus side hopefully they make changes before your next visit

(for everyone saying its just a corridor - I wouldn't have wanted to have blood taken in a corridor in front of other patients /staff - apart from the clothing i need to remove because I've invariably worn sleeves that won't roll up so I'm normally down to my bra, i also get extremely anxious about needles and this situation would have added to my anxiety)

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By *reen31Man over a year ago

Hawick

"I wasn't rude to SirMount. He made sweeping assumptions about my disability and about the situation, which I stated as such.

No, I cannot change GP surgeries

No, I could not use crutches

No, I did not have a choice (due to the 3x cancelled prior

appointments rendering yesterday's absolutely essential)

I'm actually sat waiting now for Mr KC to help me put my shoes on because at the moment, I can't do it myself. I hate it. No, I abhor it. I don't want to need help putting my fucking shoes on.

Anyway, I have to get ready for work."

Well said as a support worker people with various disabilities it really annoys me when public questions the barriers that people have to face in everyday life just to participate in an activity that most people take for granted.

If I am feeling frustrated at barriers you and other people with disabilities face then god knows how frustrated you feel especially with some f the rude comments from ignorant folk on here.

I will always tried to challenge discrimination that people face.

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By * and R cple4Couple over a year ago

swansea

Other things I have learned.

4. Even other disabled people, who one would consider allies and having empathy, are not guaranteed to do so.

Let's just hope that in a few days time there isn't another ex wife coming on here to let people know another one has gone.

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"“ Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?”

Doesn’t look like huge generalisations to me. Seems like a trying to be helpful couple questions.

I agree with the long post above. Guy seemed perfectly fine to me and a bunch of jumped up cunts took out their frustrations on him

Do you not think that I might have tried to come up with alternative solutions on the day? Even if changing GPs was an option (which it isn't), that doesn't happen instantly and so it would have made absolutely no difference to the situation yesterday. Why isn't a GP surgery properly accessible, one that provides care for over 22,000 people and offers things like scans and physio to an even wider population?

Asking if some of my mates could use crutches would be in equal parts hilarious and probably offensive. SirMount has absolutely no idea what my disability is and how it impacts me. Just because there's one picture in our gallery of me standing still on crutches does not mean I can walk any distance with them.

Don’t really care, thought plenty of people were pretty nasty to what looked to me like perfectly acceptable questions designed to bring about conversion.

Feels like you made the thread to rant, then found a suitable person to take your frustration out on. I hope you have a better day today "

This afternoon, I have a gynaecology appointment at the hospital, so let's hope they manage to provide access (they also known I use a wheelchair).

I was not rude to SirMount at all, I'm perfectly satisfied with that. You don't go round asking if people have tried crutches or whatnot, when you have zero knowledge about that person's disability! Have we tried asking if blind people can see or if deaf people have tried hearing? Can we see how that would rightly be rude to people with those disabilities? Same concept with essentially telling people to get up and walk (with crutches).

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"“ Any chance you could change you GP to one that is housed in a surgery with access? Was it not possible for you to enter the room with crutches?”

Doesn’t look like huge generalisations to me. Seems like a trying to be helpful couple questions.

I agree with the long post above. Guy seemed perfectly fine to me and a bunch of jumped up cunts took out their frustrations on him "

It was me. I agreed with Mrs KC and her response to UNLOS. If that makes me a jumped up cunt, so be it. He was rude. I said so. I had no frustrations. I simply think that if someone expresses distress at a situation that was not of their making, that was entirely the fault of the GP surgery - a response to find another surgery or use crutches is bloody rude.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Other things I have learned.

4. Even other disabled people, who one would consider allies and having empathy, are not guaranteed to do so.

Let's just hope that in a few days time there isn't another ex wife coming on here to let people know another one has gone.

Yes, I read the thread.

You didn't simply agree with the OP you also told SirMount that he was rude and presumptuous. You also told him he should know better, he was told by another poster to use his brain and was subjected to several other sarcastic comments from other users.

He shouldn't have to say he was disabled, do you demand to have an explanation of a person's disability before accepting their right to (for example) use a disabled parking bay? Funny how people have said the OP shouldn't have to explain herself yet this guy needs to do exactly that in order to have the right to express an opinion.

On the assumption he isn't lying about his situation I think suggesting he has shown no understanding is a bit strange. I believe he has far better understanding of the situation than any other person commenting and showed just as much understanding as he felt necessary? The same can be said of sympathy, he clearly felt the situation didn't warrant it - again, after 30 years experience going back to when there was far less access for disabled people he is in a better position than you or I to understand. Just because a person is upset or annoyed it doesn't mean they have to be shown sympathy.

I'm not saying I agree with him, I'm just saying that he was treated in exactly the same way as he was attacked for allegedly treating Mrs KC - you even explicitly stated you have no empathy for him. That is hardly a reasonable position from which to demand he shows more empathy for others.

So that I am not misunderstood, I'll make my views on this situation clear even though they're completely worthless. I believe a surgery should make sure all rooms used for public consultation are accessible I believe an effort should have been made to find an alternative room. However, I don't know the circumstances on the day, have no idea if it was possible to use another room and, can honestly say, that were I in that situation I genuinely wouldn't care. I'd be far more pissed off about waiting months to get an appointment and, knowing that this situation affects everyone, would far rather my surgery spend whatever meagre resources it has in improving that than ensuring I had access to all rooms. I do however understand that this isn't the only reasonable reaction and understand the frustration at bearing the brunt of yet another failure of a public service to adequately fulfill its obligations. I understand that my lack of being bothered were I in this situation comes from a position of privilege and I may perhaps feel differently if it was a daily occurance. On the otherhand I lived with a wheelchair using partner for two years and am pretty familiar with the difficulties faced by wheelchair users and have certainly had times where we both got quite stroppy at failures to make any effort to give reasonable consideration but neither of us would have complained about this situation.

Having explained the above I want to be clear that my first post wasn't an attack on Mrs KC nor a denial that she has a point. It was made to point out some serious hypocrisy in the responses to Mr UNLOS. One day, I'm going to read through a thread where different points of view are expressed with the recognition that alternative view points are also valid - one day.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"There's some really depressing and at times what almost feels actively hostile ableism in this thread

Agreed

Unfortunately, it's just a snippet of the ableism many of us face every single day.

I went out today on my mobilty scooter for the first time ever.

I very nearly just went home and cried. "

I understand that feeling

Yesterday i used my disabled parking permit for the first time.

I used a disabled parking area. I saw the stares and heard the mumbling comments about me not needing a blue badge because i could walk ok. What they didn't take into account was that i appeared to be walking well BECAUSE i was able to park near the store and didn't have far to walk !

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By *otMe66Man over a year ago

Terra Firma

"It's me again, the wheelie woman, banging on about access.

Privacy? Dignity? Who cares when you're disabled, eh?

So, there we go folks. The NHS, fully accessible to all

There is a lot of noise in the thread so I haven't read it all, this may have been asked.

Did you offer to wait for a room that would allow you to get your wheelchair in?

I would have thought that would have been a compromise that would have been in both parties interests.

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By *inky_couple2020 OP Couple over a year ago

North West

"It's me again, the wheelie woman, banging on about access.

Privacy? Dignity? Who cares when you're disabled, eh?

So, there we go folks. The NHS, fully accessible to all

There is a lot of noise in the thread so I haven't read it all, this may have been asked.

Did you offer to wait for a room that would allow you to get your wheelchair in?

I would have thought that would have been a compromise that would have been in both parties interests."

I asked for a different room and was told there were none. My appointment had been cancelled three times prior by the surgery and it was essential the test was done yesterday because I can't order any more medication. I felt I had no option but to have the test in the corridor for these reasons. The phlebotomist did not seem at all interested in finding alternatives, after she shut down my request for a different room.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 05/08/22 09:28:14]

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Other things I have learned.

4. Even other disabled people, who one would consider allies and having empathy, are not guaranteed to do so.

Let's just hope that in a few days time there isn't another ex wife coming on here to let people know another one has gone.

Yes, I read the thread.

Mr"

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By *ugby 123Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

O o O oo

A couple of points.

The OP offered the info about medication and her health.

The man who left asked a question about crutches as he said he had seen her mention using them before. It seemed a reasonable question to me given what he had seen posted before.

As lots have said, we don't know what goes on in peoples lives or what difficulties they face but should we really be shutting people down for wanting to find out how life is for them or when they try to offer other solutions? I appreciate most solutions had probably been tried but people are not to know that until they ask.

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By *ugby 123Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

O o O oo

@ Nice But Very Naughty posts

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