Abbey Field Medical Centre supports patients with sensory impairments through ECL Sensory Service
Abbey Field Medical Centre, based in Colchester, is an NHS GP practice. One of four branches in the Abbey Field Group.
ECL’s Sensory Service has been working with Abbey Field since 2022, with the aim to make the service more accessible for people with sensory impairments.
Jessica Hook-Child, Assistant Practice Manager at Abbey Field, said: “We joined the Action Alliance to create a more inclusive atmosphere, and make sure the practice was accessible for all.
“We have over 70 patients, as well as two staff members who have sensory impairments. It’s so important to make sure our practice is a place where people with sensory impairments feel welcome.
“Our patients are coming in because they’re unwell or have a medical need, and we don’t want to put more barriers in the way of people accessing that. It’s important to make sure it is as easy for them to see the clinician as it can be.”
ECL’s team of experts work with organisations to create core goals, or ‘pledges’ to improve their accessibility.
The pledges can range from updating infrastructure, to increasing awareness of sensory impairments, or training staff in your business on sensory impairments.
Abbey Field joined the Sensory Action Alliance with the following three pledges:
- To train the staff at the practice.
- To ensure loop systems are installed and working around the site, and to guarantee that staff know how to use them.
- To join the Charter Mark, an ECL run thorough accreditation process, which includes a full access audit to highlight areas for improvement.
Since then, Abbey Field have sent over 22 staff members on ECL’s CPD accredited Sensory Champion Training, and already have plans for more training in 2025.
Faye Harburt, Head of ECL’s Sensory Service, said: “Over 350,000 people in Essex are living with sensory loss. This group of people are, largely, not catered for by wider society. This can mean daily tasks such as using public transportation, technology and even accessing buildings can become extremely difficult. Over time, individuals can lose confidence and independence and become isolated. “We work with both local and national organisations and voluntary organisations to ensure they are accessible to individuals with sensory impairments.
“Businesses we work with see huge benefits of investing in becoming more accessible. You’re broadening your customer base to thousands of people who may not have been able to access your product/service before, while also making a public statement about your company’s values and commitment to equality.
“You join a national network of organisations, who share information, guidance and advice and gain access to a wealth of training from ECL’s team of experts. Best of all, you can join ECL’s Action Alliance for free, with two pledges to improve the accessibility of your offering.”
In February 2025, Abbey Field has undergone their access audit and are now working to further improve accessibility, committing to a number of additional improvements including increasing colour contrast within the building to support those with sight impairments and improving signposting.
Abbey Field Group has recently announced that they are growing and will be welcoming a new surgery, Tollgate, to their medical group in March 2025.
I’d definitely recommend ECL’s Sensory Service to other businesses, it’s a great service. Lots of helpful information, training sessions and the people that work there definitely know their stuff and care about helping people with sensory impairments. It makes a big difference to those accessing your services.
You can find more information about ECL’s Action Alliance here. To join now email sensorytraining@essexcares.org, call 03330 133 262 or text 07921 387 754.