An NHS trust has been forced to apologise after telling a wheelchair-bound woman to weigh herself at Pets at Home rather than at a hospital.
Sarah Rennie, 39, from Shrewsbury, was told by Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust to head to the pet retailer after it shut down its own weighing clinic.
The Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries forced Rennie to "access community-based weighing options, including facilities such as Pets at Home, where they can roll onto the scales".
At first, Rennie laughed at the suggestion.
Sarah Rennie was told by Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust to head to the pet retailer to weigh herself
PA"Then it dawned on me that's not acceptable, and it shows services everyone else can access aren't possible for disabled people," she told The Independent.
The freelance transport consultant described the pet shop proposal as dehumanising and vowed she would not subject herself to such treatment.
Regular weight monitoring is essential for her medication management and exercise regime.
She cannot stand or walk, making standard weighing equipment inaccessible without proper facilities.
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Rennie had laughed at the suggestion of 'roll onto the scales' at the animal retailer
The trust informed her that "the rehabilitation service has now been utilised by other services and clients can be weighed when attending a clinic appointment only", effectively ending open access to weighing facilities.
Rennie had relocated from Birmingham last year, where such services were readily available.
She purchased a set of animal weighing scales for around £50, then stopped using them due to insurance concerns for her personal assistant and the equipment's unsuitability for her needs.
"Weight is a key indicator of health for people who are immobile so to be able to access that information about our bodies is really important," she explained.
"I don't blame individuals, it demonstrates the institutional lack of regard for the quality of our lives. I blame the policymakers."
"This is an example of wider institutional health inequalities for disabled people, particularly women," she said.
NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin apologised "for any upset or offence caused" and said it was investigating the situation to identify solutions for Rennie and others facing similar circumstances.
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