Access to care for people with disabilities: the CHPG takes action

©Direction de la Communication - Manuel Vitali

Aware of the difficulties that people with disabilities encounter in accessing health care, Princess Grace Hospital has made this cause a top priority and set up a multidisciplinary working group on this subject at the hospital. This committed group, which works to ensure that people with disabilities are welcomed and receive treatment in more caring, efficient and suitable conditions, is composed of doctors, caregivers, administrative staff, the management team and patient representatives. It is led by Dr Valérie Bernard, Head of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit and the hospital’s disability representative, together with Damien Aimé, Assistant Manager for the Cap Fleuri Residence.

The initiative is part of the Handipact national policy for the inclusion of people with disabilities, launched in December 2023 by the Prince’s Government.

Following an assessment of current care and treatment conditions at Princess Grace Hospital, in close collaboration with disability non-profits in the Principality, the working group has been able to implement the following concrete measures:

A special dedicated hotline and online form to manage specific patient needs before their arrival at the hospital
A personalised care and treatment plan designed for each patient
Pamphlets for staff that offer helpful tips on caring for patients with a disability of any kind
A special care and treatment charter that lays out the hospital’s commitments for respectful and inclusive care and treatment

The Prince’s Government welcomes this progress, which marks the launch of a sustainable transition towards more inclusive, caring and equitable hospital care. These achievements are also the foundation of ongoing discussions about disability and access to care and are a step towards building an inclusive Principality.