Additional Needs Strategy
Supporting Patients with Additional Needs: Our Commitment to Inclusive Care
At the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, we believe every patient deserves to feel included, heard, and respected.
We are committed to ensuring that people with additional needs, whether related to disability, dementia, learning difficulties, autism, mental health, or other conditions, receive the highest standard of care and support.
Our strategy is designed to make sure that you, or your loved ones, can trust us to provide compassionate, person-centred healthcare.
Why this matters
In Cheshire West, 18% of residents have a disability, with many more living with cognitive or neurodiverse conditions. Our strategy recognises the importance of removing barriers, challenging assumptions, and ensuring equitable access to care.
Our vision
We aim to be recognised as an exemplar site for inclusive care, working in partnership with patients, carers, families, and the wider community.
What we are doing
Before admission
Patients with additional needs are supported prior to admission, with adjustments made to care pathways and waiting lists to meet individual requirements.
During admission
Patients with learning disabilities, autism, or dementia are identified early, supported with tools like Hospital Passports and ‘This Is Me’ and provided with reasonable adjustments to their care.
Engagement
We involve patients and families in planning care and encourage them to share their experiences. We learn from complaints and incidents, monitor outcomes and medication use, and promote the right to informed consent regardless of disability. Where patients are unable to make decisions for themselves, we ensure legal safeguards are followed and the least restrictive options are used.
Workforce development
Our staff receive specialist training to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities, autism, and dementia. This includes mandatory training programmes such as the Oliver McGowan framework, dementia awareness, and Mental Capacity Act education. We also have a network of champions across the Trust to promote equality and share best practice.
Discharge planning
Discharge planning is personalised and involves patients, carers, and relatives to ensure a safe transition from hospital to community life. Key information, including diagnosis and reasonable adjustments, is included in discharge communications.
Promoting and protecting your rights
We monitor prescribing practices, particularly psychotropic medication, and ensure all patients subject to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are appropriately authorised and reviewed.
How we measure success
We regularly review our progress and use national benchmarking standards and annual audits to test the quality and outcomes of our care.
We seek direct feedback from patients and carers, including through accessible easy read surveys.
Our Inclusive Services Improvement Group, which includes staff and people with lived experience, oversees the delivery of this strategy.
Working together
We know that supporting patients with additional needs is everyone’s responsibility. We work closely with patients, families, carers, staff, volunteers, and partner organisations to deliver joined-up, person-centred care. Our strategy is ambitious, but we are determined to keep improving and to go further in meeting the needs of our community.
What our patients and their loved ones have told us
“For the first time in years, my son felt safe enough to leave the house and go to hospital — I couldn’t believe it when he got into the car on his own. The care, compassion, and coordination shown by the complex care team made all the difference, and I’ll never forget it.”
“My daughter was really nervous about coming to hospital, but the team made everything feel calm and safe. They understood what I needed, took their time, and made sure I wasn’t overwhelmed — it meant the world to me.”
“Seeing how the staff adapted everything to meet my son’s needs was incredible. They treated him with patience, dignity, and kindness — it made a huge difference to both of us."
Find out more
If you have questions, need support, or want to get involved, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). We are here to listen, learn, and work with you to make our hospital a place where everyone truly counts.
Read our Additional Needs Strategy here.