The Accessible Information Standard tells NHS and social care organisations how to make information accessible to patients, service users and their carers or parents whose needs relate to a disability, impairment or sensory loss.
This includes making sure that people get the appropriate support to help them communicate, for example offering support from a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter or deafblind manual interpreter, information in audio, Easy Read or communication via email or text.
This is a legal requirement of the Equality Act 2010 and applies to all organisations included within the Health and Social Care Act.
We must do five things to meet the Accessible Information Standard:
More information about the Accessible Information Standard is available in other formats on the NHS England website.
There are many good reasons why Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust is working on improving the provision of the accessible information standard:
We can provide different types of communication support or information in different formats. Please tell us as soon as possible, ideally before your appointment, what support you need or ask someone to tell us on your behalf. A telephone number and email address will be on your appointment letter. If you can’t find the letter you can contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
We have a range of information for carers and families which includes leaflets and sources of support.
There is a range of Easy Read information on our Health and Wellbeing section.
You can also ask the service or person you see at Oxleas for appointment letters in Easy Read and information about your health condition.
We can arrange a BSL interpreter for you or for Sign Supported English, Lip Speaker or Sign-along. Please ask the service to arrange this or get someone to ask on your behalf.