Accessible Information Standard

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All organisations that provide NHS or adult social care must follow the Accessible Information Standard.

In April 2016 a new standard came into effect which aims to make sure that disabled people have access to information that they can understand and any communication support they might need. All organisations that provide NHS or adult social care must follow the Accessible Information Standard.

The standard tells organisations how to make information accessible to patients, service users and their carers and parents. This includes making sure that people get information in different formats if they need it such as large print, braille, easy read and via email.

The Accessible Information Standard also tells organisations how to support people’s communication needs, for example by offering support from a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, deafblind manual interpreter or an advocate.

In order to best support our patients, we will:

We will strive to provide an excellent patient experience each and every time, by continually improving our Communication and Accessibility standards for patients who require additional support to access our services.   

AIS will look to flag access needs such as:

  1. Interpreter required (Foreign Language & BSL)
  2. Correspondence/Results required on Yellow Pape,
  3. Correspondence/Results required in ‘Easy Read’
  4. Correspondence/Results required in Braille, or Audio Format.
  5. Procedure Leaflets in ‘Easy Read’ Format or Common Foreign Languages
  6. Consent Forms in ‘Easy Read’ or Common Foreign Languages
  7. Prescription Aid – Larger Fonts
  8. Physical Impairment/Disability

We will:

  • Ask people if they have any information or communication needs, and find out how to meet their needs.
  • Record those needs in a set way.
  • Highlight a person’s file, so it is clear that they have information or communication needs, and clearly explain how these should be met.
  • Share information about a person’s needs with other NHS and adult social care providers, when they have consent or permission to do so.
  • Act to make sure that people get information in an accessible way and communication support if they need it.

More information on the Accessible Information Standard can be found on the NHS England website www.england.nhs.uk/accessibleinfo.