Act now, don't pay later says IR Security & Safety

Act now, don't pay later says IR Security & Safety

Act now, don't pay later says IR Security & Safety

Keywords: Legislation, Disabled people, NHS

New research from IR Security & Safety Ltd has shown low awareness of disability discrimination legislation in areas of the UK public health sector. But, with investment in the NHS at an all-time high, health care organisations should be incorporating provision for disabled access into their building and maintenance programmes now.

With three years to go until full implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act (1995), there is still time for organisations to take action to become DDA compliant by 2004. However, IR's research shows that whilst many Health Authorities are in the very early stages of putting DDA policies in place, the impact of the act on their estates is not fully understood. At the other end of the spectrum, in the GP practice sector, many organisations were unaware of the existence of the DDA with those that were believing that "eleventh hour" grants would be made available to ensure compliance before 2004.

Whilst the public health care sector is unlikely to bear the brunt of the clamp-down in three years time, those with responsibility for the management and maintenance of buildings are advised to act now to familiarise themselves with their responsibilities under the Act, which makes it unlawful for service providers to discriminate against disabled people. Under the conditions of the Act, by 2004, service providers must "make reasonable adjustments to the physical features of their premises to overcome physical barriers to access", by removing the barriers, providing an alternative means of access or by alteration of their premises so that it becomes accessible. On this basis, it is anticipated that 104,000 public sector service providers will be required to make adjustments in respect of the physical features of their premises.

"Whilst our research shows that the Act has entered the consciousness of those at the very highest levels of the NHS; with the introduction of PCGs and PCTs and the associated devolution of ownership and responsibility for buildings, we are keen to work with healthcare professionals to help raise awareness of this important piece of legislation," said Ian Wood, managing director of IR Security & Safety Ltd.

"In the commercial arena, many service providers are working with their suppliers to address DDA compliance as part of their ongoing refurbishment programmes – organisations in the health sector should be encouraged to do the same, especially in the context of the government's current investment in the National Health Service.

"Whilst many service providers may be ahead of the game in terms of the main entrance to their premises, in many cases, the healthcare environment becomes more difficult to negotiate once inside, with layout and signage often proving problematic for those with a physical or visual impairment. And, of course, it's not just the user who must be catered for – behind the scenes, disabled employees must be able to move freely around staff areas and enjoy the same access to facilities as their able-bodied colleagues. At the same time, healthcare organisations must also implement necessary measures to protect the safety and security of their patients, employees and premises."

As the recognised market leader, IR supplies a complete range of security and safety products including:

• •

  architectural ironmongery;

• •

  complete door sets;

• •

  signage;

• •

  railing systems;

• •

  automatic doors;

• •

  electronic access control and locking systems; and

• •

  steel security doors.

IR is committed to providing products and services of the highest quality, either singly or as part of an integrated solution, tailored to suit individual building needs and combining the elements of design, specification, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning and after-sales service, repair and maintenance.

With a nationwide network of highly trained and qualified architectural hardware consultants and distributors, IR also offers customers the opportunity to benefit from a free of charge access audit which will identify any discriminatory barriers and hazards to mobility and recommend what steps can "reasonably" be taken to eliminate them in order to comply with the DDA.

For further information, please contact Faye Baker, IR Security & Safety Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 121 717 7777; E-mail: fbaker@golleyslater.co.uk