Any legal brains out there?
I have been registered with a local dentist for nearly 30 years. About 5 years ago it changed ownership but there was no change to the service.
Until the year prior to the lockdown I used to struggle to get in on sticks or crutches. My last appointment was just before the lockdown by which time I could no longer walk. I rang the surgery and asked if I could be treated in my powerchair and was told that I could. When I got there I discovered that I couldn't get over the threshold. One of the dentists tried to assist but failed. He and other staff said they would get a small ramp made and phone me when it was ready and rebooked my appoinment accordingly.
Then the lockdown started and I heard no more from the surgery. When lockdown eased and we were allowed to visit places like this again, my wife attended for a checkup and while there asked about my outstanding appointment. She was told that the surgery could no longer treat me because I was a user of what they termed "a big wheelchair". The reason given was that another powerchair user had damaged their entrance door surround. The promised ramp had ever been acquired.
I assume they just could not be bothered to make even to make such a small, low cost adaption to prevent me from being disadvantaged when compared to others who were able to walk. I was referred to the local authority dental service.
I have not yet contacted anyone to seek advice but it seems to me to be a clear case of discrimination under the terms of the Equality Act 2010; the dentist surgery being "a service provider" ; and me being someone with "Protected Characteristics".
Am I right? Could I insist that they continue to treat me?