Addingham Surgery

Accessible Information Standard

The Accessible Information Standard is a mandatory ‘information standard’ for all organisations that provide NHS or adult social care.

It 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.

Which organisations does the Standard apply to?

All organisations that provide NHS or adult social care must follow the Standard. This includes NHS Trusts and NHS Foundation Trusts, independent contractors and providers from the private and voluntary sectors.

Which patients are affected by the Standard?

The Standard applies to patients and service users who have information and / or communication needs relating to a disability, impairment or sensory loss. It also applies to parents and carers of patients / service users who have such information and / or communication needs, where appropriate. Individuals most likely to be affected by the Standard include people who are blind or d/Deaf, who have some hearing and / or visual loss, people who are deafblind and people with a learning disability. However, this list is not exhaustive.

What will be the impact of implementing the Standard?

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. It should lead to improvements in patient satisfaction and experience, patient safety, outcomes (for example to due to earlier diagnosis and treatment) and patients’ ability to self-care and adhere to clinical and medical advice.

Our Policy:

Please let the practice know if you have a disability, impairment or sensory loss, and the kind of information and communication support that you need. This will be noted on your medical records and will help us prepare for the next time you use our services.

At Addingham Medical Centre, we will ask newly registered patients about their specific needs on our registration form.  For existing patients, our staff will routinely ask when you visit.

As standard practice, Addingham Medical Centre will:

  1. Ask people if they have any information or communication needs, and find out how to meet their needs.
  2. Record those needs clearly and in a set way.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Take steps to ensure that people receive information which they can access and understand, and receive communication support if they need it.

Further Information on Accessible Information

AIS Easy Read Leaflet

British Sign Language Video

Audio Recording

Date published: 20th August, 2019
Date last updated: 21st August, 2019