As a Practice we are keen to enable the treatment of disabled people and make reasonable adjustments where necessary, such as providing extra help or making changes to the way we provide our services in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
This includes adjustments to physical features of premises to overcome physical barriers to access for people with disabilities and facilitating such visitors to use services.
The nature of general practice is such that assistance dog (eg guide dog / hearing dog) access is common and desirable.
The purpose of this policy is to set out a few simple principles for dogs on the premises.
It is not intended to cover the use of assistance dogs in relation to employees of the practice, which would encompass a wider range of disability employment law considerations.
General Considerations
- The practice welcomes assistance dogs. This includes dogs in training where a “walker” is in control of the dog rather than a disabled owner.
- The practice will manage the presence of assistance dogs without recourse to the owner and will pay particular attention to infection control and housekeeping whilst dogs are on the premises.
- Physical contact with a dog by clinical staff will be resisted during consultations or examinations, and whilst a general surgery is in progress.
- Hand washing or alcohol hand gel will be used by staff after any physical contact with a dog, whether during a consultation or not.
- Care will be taken by clinical staff to identify other patients in the surgery list for that session who have been identified as potentially being adverse clinically to the presence of dogs.
- Consideration will be given to allow patients and their assistance dogs to wait, or be seen, in an alternative consulting room.
- Cleaning staff will be advised to pay particular attention to a room known to have accommodated a dog that day.
- In the event of an incident involving a dog, a significant event record will be created where necessary.
- Owners of assistance dogs will be given the opportunity to “tour” the practice and the grounds with their assistance dog. This will enable the dog to become familiar with routes throughout the building, including those routes seldom used. This will include routes to and from:
- Public / disabled toilets
- Through fire exits and on to assembly areas
- To usual GP and nurse rooms
- Accessing and exiting the building by normal routes
As part of the high level of training an assistance dog receives, there are unlikely to be any incidents giving rise to special concern, and the following aspects of these dogs on the premises are likely to be standard behaviour for these animals:
- Dog will remain on a lead and in close contact with the owner.
- The dog will usually lie quietly with the owner when waiting to see a clinician and is trained to behave well in public places.
- Dog is unlikely to foul any area not within its usual habit and is trained to go to toilet on command and will be well-groomed (minimal loose hair).
- The dog will be in good health, physically fit, with vaccinations and care programme up to date.
- The dog will usually wear a special identifying harness and collar tag.
Pet dogs and Emotional Support Animals are NOT allowed in the Practice at any time.
If a patient feels that they require their Emotional Support Animal to accompany them to Pershore Medical Practice, please contact the Assistant Practice Manager. Information will be required to support your request and staff have been trained to help you with this.
We recognise your need to have access to your GP and our process is for our team to discuss the best options to support your appointments.
We recognise that this process may take some time to complete.
This will not affect your access to a clinician.
