Sunflower lanyards – supporting people with hidden disabilities
Guy’s and St Thomas’s have launched a sunflower lanyard for their patients and staff. The sunflower lanyards are for people who have a disability that you might not be able to see, and for people who might need extra help.
What is a hidden disability?
A hidden disability isn’t always visible at first.
This could be:
- sensory loss, including difficulty seeing or hearing
- a physical disability that may not be obvious
- autism
- a learning disability
- anxiety or any other mental health condition.
What happens when you wear a sunflower lanyard?
- You can ask for extra support (but you don’t have to wear a lanyard to do this).
- A member of staff may ask you if there’s anything we can do to help you.
- You are welcome to complete the card that comes with your lanyard to help us understand how we can support you better.
- We might not be able to change your waiting time or get you to the front of the queue but we’ll do our very best to improve your experience with us.
- You might need help getting to your appointment or communicating with us, for example by using a hearing loop, interpreter or braille.
- Your lanyard is yours to keep and you are welcome to wear it every time you are being cared for by us.
We understand that not everyone with a hidden disability requires additional support. We believe our sunflower lanyards are an easy way for you to let us know if you do.
How can I get a sunflower lanyard?
Lanyards can be collected at the hospitals’ main receptions, Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offices and the Knowledge and Information Centre, ground floor, North Wing, St Thomas’ Hospital.
