On Wednesday 15 October, our Burgundy Street clinic in Heidelberg welcomed eight clients through the doors of our very first Sensory friendly clinic – and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
"This initiative/process is so valuable. Thank you, Karen and Laura, for making the mammogram experience a little less daunting. Much appreciated!" said one of the clients after her screen.
For some women, walking into a clinic may feel a little overwhelming – fluorescent lights, busy waiting rooms, and the pressure of a ticking clock. It’s a setting that can be especially overwhelming for neurodivergent individuals or those living with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or anxiety disorders.
Inspired by the successful model from BreastScreen SA, this clinic was thoughtfully designed with help from an Occupational Therapist to help us adjust the clinic experience to offer a more calm and quiet space.
The Sensory clinic featured 20 minute appointments, fewer people, spacious waiting areas, gentle lighting with no strong scents. Staff were specially trained to support sensory needs.
"The radiographer was really good at letting me do as much as I could myself and working with what I was capable of (e.g. holding my top to myself and adjusting myself and her just making tweaks after)" another client shared.
Of the eight clients screened:
- Six were first time screeners
- Two were returning for their two-yearly screen
Some clients provided feedback on how to improve the process even more:
"The handwash was sensitive and unscented. It would be nice to have an equivalent lotion as even sensitive hand wash can leave hands feeling stripped/dry (I always carry some in my handbag just in case)" another client said.
The Sensory friendly clinic is an action from our Disability Action Plan, which provides a pathway to delivering our services to people with a range of disabilities. We will review the outcomes of this trial and finalise the next steps.