Accessible Information Standards

Making health and social care information accessible

The Accessible Information Standard will come into force from 31 July 2016 across health and social care in England.

Our aim is to make sure disabled people have access to information that they can understand and any communication support they might need.

GP Practices, Hospitals and Social Care are currently working towards the standard. The first thing they need to do is identify those people with information and communication needs.

**Please help us to do this**

Let us know if you have a disability, impairment or sensory loss, and the kind of information and communication support that you need. We will record this on your medical records. This will help us be prepared the next time you use our services.

You can find out more about the new Accessible Information Standards by reading this guide in easy words and pictures.

You can also watch a video in British Sign Language (BSL) or listen to an audio recording.

LING HOUSE MEDICAL CENTRE POLICY ON ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION STANDARDS

We will ask all newly registered patients about their specific needs on our new patient questionnaire. For existing patients who have not informed us already our staff will routinely ask when you access our service.

1. We will ask if they have any information or communication needs and find out how best we can meet their needs.
2. We will record those needs clearly and in a set way in the patient medical record.
3. We will highlight this information in the patient medical record so it is clear that they have information or communication needs and how to meet those needs.
4. We will share this information with other providers of NHS and Adult Social Care, where we have consent or permission to do so.

We will take steps to ensure that patients receive information which they can access and understand and receive communication support if they need it.