The Accessible Information Standard is a new ‘information standard’ for implementation by all organisations that provide NHS or adult social care. The Standard aims to ensure that people who have a disability or sensory loss receive information that they can access and understand, for example in large print, braille or via email, and professional communication support if they need it, for example from a British Sign Language interpreter. The Standard requires organisations that provide NHS or adult social care to:
- Ask people if they have any information or communication needs, and find out how to meet their needs.
- Record those needs clearly and in a set way.
- Highlight or flag the person’s file or notes so it is clear that they have information or communication needs and how to meet those needs.
- Share people’s information and communication needs with other providers of NHS and adult social care, when they have consent or permission to do so.
- Take steps to ensure that people receive information which they can access and understand, and receive communication support if they need it.
Although not exhaustive, the standard is likely to apply to people who are blind and/or deaf, those who have some hearing or visual loss, and people with learning disabilities.
Full compliance with the Standard is a legal duty and required by 31 July 2016.
Successful implementation of the Standard aims to lead to improved outcomes and experiences, and the provision of safer and more personalised care and services to those individuals who come within the Standard’s scope.
At practice level we will be making sure that we amend our commonly used forms to ask patients if they have any special communication needs. We will then record any on the patient’s medical record so that anyone seeing the patient is aware that the patient may need assistance with communication. We will make sure that all our forms are available in larger print for patients.
If you do have any special communication needs please make sure that you let us know so that we can help
It is really important to us that as many people as possible can access the information on this website.
Rather than create a different accessible version of this website we have tried to make one site useful to all visitors. Below you will find some general information that should help you to browse this website and many others too.
The BBC website has a fantastic section called “My web my way” detailing accessibility features and assistive technologies available for your computer, so that you can view BBC Online and the rest of the web in a more accessible way. http://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/
Sense
Sense is the leading national charity that supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind. We provide expert advice and information as well as specialist services to deafblind people, their families, carers and the professionals who work with them. We also support people who have sensory impairments with additional disabilities
BSL Interpreters
Please Click on Link: – https://www.bslhealthaccess.co.uk/