Health · England
Help at health appointments
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This guide is about health appointments in England.
You can ask for support that works for you.
Tell staff what helps you understand and communicate.
You can tell them before your appointment.
You can ask for reasonable adjustments.
These are changes to help disabled people use a service.
You could ask for pictures or simple words.
You could ask for more time to understand information.
You could ask for a longer appointment or a quieter time.
You could ask to bring someone you trust.
The right support depends on your needs.
Ask staff to record the support you need.
This helps other staff know how to support you.
Staff must still follow rules about keeping your information private.
The service must pay for reasonable adjustments.
It must not charge you extra for them.
Tell staff if the support is not helping.
Ask them to check what needs to change.
What you can do next
Tell the service what would make your appointment easier.
Ask staff to write down what you need.
Read about yearly health checks Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- BTM: Easy Read health booklets Web pageEasy Read resources
Booklets about constipation, screening and other health topics. Check the date and ask your health team about advice for you.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Getting the right help at appointments
Ask for information and changes that work for you.
Health and accessible information · England
Explain what would help
You could ask for a longer appointment, pictures or simpler words, a quieter appointment time, or someone you choose to come with you.
Accessible information
NHS services and publicly funded adult social care services must have regard to the Accessible Information Standard. It sets requirements for information and communication support linked to disability, impairment or sensory loss.
Your needs should be recorded and reviewed
Services should identify, record, flag, share, meet and review these needs, while following the usual confidentiality rules. Tell staff if the support is still not working.
Reasonable adjustments should not cost you extra
The service must meet the cost of a reasonable adjustment. The right arrangement depends on your individual needs and circumstances.
Words you could use
“I need information in this format: … I need this help at appointments: … Please record these needs.”
More useful links
- BTM: Easy Read health booklets Web pageEasy Read resources
Booklets about constipation, screening and other health topics. Check the date and ask your health team about advice for you.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 26 October 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- NHS England: Accessible Information Standard requirements Web page
Requirements for accessible information and communication support.
- Equality Act 2010, section 20 Web page
The duty to make reasonable adjustments, including the rule about costs.
- NHS: annual health checks Web page
Practical examples of adjustments at health appointments.