Accessible Information Standard applies to patients who use our service and have information or communication needs because of a disability, impairment or sensory loss. It covers the needs of people who are Deaf, Blind or Deafblind, or who have a learning disability. This includes interpretation or translation for people whose first language is British Sign Language. and can be used to support people with aphasia, autism or a mental health condition which affects their ability to communicate.

The five steps to Accessible Information

1. Ask – The Practice will ask if the person has any communication or information needs relating to a disability or sensory loss and if so, what they are. This information is requested on all new patient questionnaires. Existing patients will be asked opportunistically. However, a patient can request this at anytime when contacting the surgery.

2. Record – The Practice will record the persons needs clearly within their medical record by using the appropriate code.

3. Highlight – The Practice will ensure that the persons needs are highly visible when the medical record is retrieved.

4. Share – The Practice will include the persons information/communication needs as part of existing data sharing processes. So that other Health and Social care services can respond to the person’s needs.

5. Act – Take steps to ensure that the individual receives information which they can access and understand. This maybe via email, text message, telephone, communication in large print or easy read etc