Dealing with requests where patients have sensory impairment 

Under the Equality Act 2010, pharmacies must make reasonable adjustments to ensure individuals with disabilities are not disadvantaged when accessing services, including oral EC. The Accessible Information Standard (2016) further requires that people with disabilities or sensory impairments receive information in a format they can understand and the communication support they need.  

When providing oral EC to patients with sensory impairments, pharmacists should communicate directly and ask how they prefer to receive information. Practical guidance is outlined in the box below and the Pharmacy Magazine CPD module on 'Adjusting consultations in sensory impairment' (August) can be referred to for additional detail.