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Healthcare Access Rights in ID — MRCPsych Paper B MCQ

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EasyIntellectual DisabilityHealthcare Access Rights in IDMRCPsych Paper B

An adult with a learning disability presents to an emergency department with acute abdominal pain. The triage nurse refuses to assess the patient solely because of the learning disability and states that specialist learning disability services must assess them instead. What is the most appropriate response?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — Undertake the usual urgent assessment, making reasonable adjustments as required

The correct answer is A. A learning disability is not a valid reason to refuse or delay emergency assessment. Under the Equality Act 2010, healthcare services must avoid disability discrimination and make reasonable adjustments where needed. These might include simple language, visual information, extra time, communication support or involvement of a carer with the patient's agreement. Specialist learning disability staff may advise or support the emergency team, but their availability must not become a prerequisite for assessment. A carer can provide useful collateral information but cannot replace clinical triage or automatically make decisions for the patient. Direct referral or discharge without assessing the acute abdominal pain could delay necessary treatment and would not meet the emergency department's clinical responsibilities.

Reference: GOV.UK, Reasonable adjustments: a legal duty, updated 2020. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reasonable-adjustments-a-legal-duty/reasonable-adjustments-a-legal-duty