Accessible Information Standard

THE ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION STANDARD

The Accessible Information Standard – known officially as SCCI1605 Accessible Information – is a new ‘information standard’ for implementation by all organisations which provide NHS or adult social care.

Compliance with information standards of this type is a mandatory requirement, including for NHS Trusts and GP practices. This is set out in section 250 of the Health and Social Care Act.

The Accessible Information 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 which provide NHS or adult social care to:

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

Please do confirm your information or communication needs with the doctor or member of our team – if we have not confirmed these with you – so that we can meet these. Please also confirm any information or communication needs for a member of your family who is a patient here as appropriate.