17 July 2020
Sunflower lanyard scheme
Thanks to your support of Southampton Hospitals Charity, we’ve been able to fund a scheme that will make hospital easier for people who have hidden disabilities, visible disabilities, or who are carers.
The Sunflower Lanyard Scheme allows you to indicate to people around you that you need additional support, help or just a little more time.
The lanyards are a simple sunflower design on a green background; a discreet sign which is distinctive but also designed to suggest happiness, positivity, and strength.
The scheme has been piloted in the outpatients at Princess Anne Hospital and Phlebotomy (blood tests) at University Hospital Southampton, and is being rolled out throughout our hospital sites over the coming weeks.
We’ve launched the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme to help people indicate that they might need a little more support or assistance.
Staff have been trained to be extra attentive and to ask, “Is there anything else that you need or that I can do?”
We’re having up to 20 new applicants a day who are coming forward to say they have a disability or are a carer. Once fully rolled out, it will be a hugely beneficial initiative.” – Ellis Banfield, Head of Patient Experience and Involvement.
If you would like to register for a sunflower lanyard, you can do so by contacting the patient hub on 0800 484 0135 or by emailing them on patientsupporthub@uhs.nhs.uk.
Hidden Disabilities
Not all disabilities are visible – some are not hidden and not immediately obvious, such as learning difficulties, mental health as well as mobility, speech, visual or hearing impairments.
Living with a hidden disability can make daily life more demanding for many people, but it can be difficult for others to recognise, acknowledge or understand the challenges you face.
By wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, it discreetly indicates to people around you including staff, colleagues and health professionals that you may need additional support, help or a little more time.