What is a quieter session?
We are introducing quieter appointment sessions on specific Saturdays to make it easier for patients who may find a busy GP surgery environment overwhelming.
The sessions are particularly intended to support people who may experience sensory overload, anxiety, difficulty processing information, or who are neurodivergent, including autistic people and people with ADHD, dementia or other conditions that can make a busy healthcare environment difficult.
The session will not be completely quiet — this is still a working GP surgery — but we will make reasonable changes to create a calmer and less overwhelming environment.
Everyone is welcome at these sessions.
What will be different?
A calmer sound environment
- We will avoid having the radio playing, particularly programmes containing speech or news.
- Patients may use phones, tablets or other devices that help them feel comfortable. We ask that devices are kept on silent so they do not disturb other patients.
- Please be aware that people may make sounds, stim or have tics during the session. A quieter session does not mean that patients are expected to be silent.
Softer lighting
Where possible, we will reduce the use of bright overhead lighting and use softer lighting instead.
We will also turn off the waiting-room call in screen. Reducing unnecessary movement, flashing messages and visual information can help reduce sensory overload.
Being collected by the clinician
Clinicians will come into the waiting area and collect patients themselves, rather than relying on patients to respond to a number being called or knock on a particular door.
This can make the process easier for people who find unexpected announcements, numbers or navigating unfamiliar spaces difficult.
Sensory aids
Patients are also welcome to bring their own sensory aids or items that help them feel comfortable.
Longer appointments and communication
We recognise that some patients need additional time to:
- Process questions and information
- Explain what is happening
- Ask questions
- Understand treatment or medication instructions
- Communicate in a way that works for them
Appointments will be longer with additional time.
Patients can also ask for important information to be written down, particularly if there are several instructions or pieces of information to remember.
How can patients help us?
If you are attending a quieter Session, please tell reception or your clinician if there is anything that would make your visit easier.
For example:
“I find bright lights difficult.”
“I need to wait somewhere quieter.”
“I use my headphones to help me manage sensory overload.”
“I need a little longer to process information.”
“Please write down the important information for me.”
You do not need to justify or explain your needs in detail.
A note for everyone
The quieter session is designed to make healthcare more accessible and comfortable for people who can find a busy GP surgery difficult.
People may move around, use sensory aids, make noises, stim, have tics or communicate differently. These are all okay.
We ask everyone attending the session to be considerate of other patients and staff and to help us maintain a calm environment.
The aim is not to make everyone behave differently — it is to remove some of the unnecessary barriers that can make accessing healthcare difficult.
If you think a quieter session could help you
Please speak to reception about whether a Saturday quieter appointment session would be suitable for you.
We welcome feedback from patients and staff so that we can continue to improve the sessions.