Co-production in Action: AoD and Charing Cross Hospital Working Together for Accessibility

Action on Disability (AoD) continues its successful partnership with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust to make Charing Cross Hospital more accessible and inclusive for Disabled people.

Since March 2025, AoD co-producers and Disabled residents have carried out two detailed access visits to the hospital, reviewing areas such as the Emergency Department, Outpatients, Diagnostics and Radiotherapy. Their lived experience feedback has directly informed the hospital’s design and improvement plans.

At the most recent Co-production meeting on 22 October 2025, hosted by AoD, Matt Ayres, Hospital Director, met with AoD Trustees and local Disabled residents to review the latest architectural layouts and accessibility updates.
Together, the group discussed key priorities, including:

• Improving wayfinding and signage for wheelchair users and people with visual impairments.
• Ensuring accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities meet genuine user needs.
• Developing volunteer training for staff and hospital volunteers to better support Disabled patients.
• Continuing the Inclusive Wayfinding Project, led by Abrahim Abdelmagid, to create a new digital accessibility guide.

AoD Co-producers Jack Alexander Hills and Jenny Parker will present this work at the upcoming Hammersmith & Fulham Health and Adult Social Care Policy and Accountability Committee (HASPAC) meeting on 17 November 2025 at H&F Council, 145 King Street.

This ongoing collaboration shows how genuine co-production can improve both hospital design and patient experience — ensuring that Disabled residents are involved from the start, not consulted at the end.

We thank all the residents, Trustees, and partners who continue to shape this vital work with us.