Better Access for Better Access Campaign
SWAD has a disability access campaign and we need you to get involved!
The “Better Access for Better Access” campaign goal is to have at least one hoisting system, and a set of leg supports, on at least one examination couch, in every sexual health clinic and GP surgery in the UK.
Lorraine knows, from the hundreds of disabled people she has supported through her work, that there are still many barriers to disabled people in accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare. Many health providers are keen to reduce health inequalities faced by the people who use their services, but fail to recognise the lack of people with disabilities attending clinics.
The campaign is UK-wide and is open to people of all gender identities. It started on 1 February 2023, and the campaign is ongoing.
Alongside a social media campaign (#BA4BA), SWAD actively engages with existing networks like NHS Integrated Care Systems, Sexual Health organisations, GP networks, Disability organisations, Disabled people and equipment providers.
Disabled people are welcome to email us with their experiences of healthcare appointments, both positive and negative, to [email protected]. Please put “Better Access” in the subject heading. Alternatively, they can write to us at SWAD Dorset, PO Box 9532, POOLE, BH15 9HY or Click Here.
Lorraine Stanley, Founder and CEO of SWAD working from her office bed
“My health and my life are just as important to me, as a non-disabled person’s life is to them. There are over 14 million disabled people in the UK at the moment. If even a quarter of those people are sexually active, but can’t access the professional services provided by the healthcare sector, I see that as being an unacceptable situation. I want to be part of the solution - do you?”
“From my own lived experience, it took three years from receiving my cervical screening invitation to actually being able to have it. The delay was caused due to a lack of examination tables with appropriate leg supports and handles. Luckily, my results were clear, but if there had been cancerous cells present, the delay could have resulted in my having to have a more invasive treatment.”
