Accessibility support

In this section:

• Carers coming to hospital
• Hospital interpreting services at Imperial College Healthcare
• Disabled access
• Hearing loop system
• Patients with learning difficulties
• Accessible information

Carers coming to hospital

Carers are welcome to come to hospital to support patients' health and social needs. We recognise carers play a vital role in supporting patients’ communications needs – particularly where a patient has dementia, learning disabilities and/or autism. 

We can provide carers with a ‘carers passport’ so that each patient’s main carer can be identified easily. Ask your care team for more information.

Hospital interpreting services at Imperial College Healthcare

At Imperial College Healthcare, we are committed to providing high-quality care for everyone. That includes ensuring clear communication between patients and healthcare staff.  

If spoken English is not your primary language or you have difficulty communicating, we offer a professional interpreting service to help you understand and engage with your healthcare. Our goal is to make your experience as welcoming and supportive as possible. 

How to access the service

If you need an interpreter for your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible. You can do this by contacting the number on your appointment letter or telling your doctor, nurse or healthcare team what you need.  

• If you have a face-to-face, telephone or video clinic appointment, let us know in advance if you need an interpreter. Interpreters should be requested as far in advance as possible to ensure an interpreter can attend the appointment.
• If you need a British Sign Language (BSL), another sign language interpreter, or lip speaker to attend your appointment please let us know as soon as possible and we will arrange this for you. BSL interpreters should be booked as far in advance as possible (at least 10 working days). However, we will always do our best to arrange a sign language interpreter even if the notice period is less than 10 working days.

Disabled access

Our main outpatient departments and many of our buildings have disabled access and disabled accessible toilet facilities. Please view the maps/location information for each of our sites. 

If you need a wheelchair, please arrive to hospital 1 hour before your appointment, a receptionist can book a porter to come and collect you.

Hearing loop system

There is a hearing loop system available in the main outpatient departments at each of our hospital sites and the audiology and ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinics.

Patients with learning disabilities

We advise all patients with learning disabilities to bring a carer or friend with them to their appointment. Our outpatient care assistants (OCAs) can also support you during your visit to outpatients and act as chaperones. They can also help direct patients to other departments for tests and investigations.

Accessible information

If you need information, such as leaflets and advice in a different format e.g. large text please email imperial.Accessible.Information@nhs.net or ask your GP to request this on your behalf in advance of your appointment.