Resources
Factsheets and clarifying notes
Clarifying notes
The content of previously published ‘clarifying notes’ is included in the revised (v1.1) version of the Implementation Guidance for the Standard.
Factsheets
- Identifying information and communication needs
- Recording information and communication needs
- Flagging information and communication needs
- Sharing information and communication needs
- Meeting information and communication needs
- Top Implementation Tips
- Using email and text messages for communicating with patients
- Legal Duties to meet individual’s information and communication and support needs
- Different types of accessible information and communication support and who may need them
- Psychological Professions Network guide on Working with People who are Deaf, Deafblind or Hard of Hearing
- NHS Guidance on Supporting Mental Health Users and Carers with Communication Difficulties
- Guide to making information accessible for people with a learning disability and easy read summary of the guide to making information accessible for people with a learning disability.
- UK Association for Accessible Formats (UKAAF) resources to ensure the accuracy and quality of translated and transcribed information: general guidance and minimum standards
Online Discussion Forum
The Patient Information Forum (PIF), supported by NHS England, has launched a new online group to support organisations with following the Accessible Information Standard. The group is free to join, and is for anyone involved in implementing the Standard. The group will be an online space where users can connect with each other and:
- Keep up to date with NHS England guidance, support and events
- Share accessible information resources and guidance
- Take part in discussions and access best practice support on accessible information
- Share their questions, challenges and successes
Would you like to join the PIF accessible information group.
Please note that the Accessible Information Forum is free to join and participate in – there is no membership fee. However other forums hosted by PiF do incur a fee, hence the reference to payment in some of areas of the website and registration process.
Checklists
Terminology to support the standard
In electronic systems which use SNOMED CT, Read v2 or CTV3 codes, information about patients’, service users’, parents’ and carers’ information and communication needs MUST be recorded using the coded data items associated with the subsets defined by this Standard.
The terminology associated with the Standard is available via the Data Dictionary for Care website and a summary of the terminology can be found at Terminology (SNOMED CT, Read v2 and CTV3 codes)
Glossary of information formats and communication types
E-learning and training resources
Two e-Learning modules have been developed in association with Health Education England: The Accessible Information Standard: Introduction and The Accessible Information Standard: Towards Excellence.
The Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education has produced an e-learning package for pharmacists.
Disability Matters have created an elearning package, ‘Disability Matters for the Accessible Information Standard‘ to help staff improve their understanding of disability, and the information and communication needs of people with disabilities.
GP toolkit
Straight Talkers and Bentham Medical Practice have produced a toolkit which provides a quick reference guide for GPs, Practice Managers and practice staff.
CCG microsite
Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon Clinical Commissioning Group has produced an Accessible Information microsite with toolkits, guidance and checklists.
Presentations, videos and webinars
- BSL video – Bracknell Forest Sensory Needs Conference
- Gloucestershire Deaf Association
- Presentations from NHS England’s Regional Implementation Workshops
Sample documents, posters, leaflets and infographics
- Template report for Governing Body or Board
- Communications Card Template
- ‘Your Rights Under the Accessible Information Standard’ (produced by CHANGE)
- Easy Read Complaints Leaflet (produced by Bristol City Council)
NHS England Accessible Information and Communication Policy
NHS England’s principles about accessible information and communication reflect the mission of “High quality care for all…” NHS England also believes that planned and appropriate use of limited resources will make this care sustainable “…now and for future generations.”
First published in November 2016, the Accessible Information and Communication Policy aims to make sure that NHS England has a clear, consistent, transparent and fair approach to the provision of accessible, inclusive information and communication support to patients, carers, service users, members of the public, staff, stakeholders and partner organisations. The policy includes internal and external communications, and information produced for internal and external audiences.
The Policy is also available as a Word document, in easy read and as a British Sign Language (BSL) video with subtitles.
NHS organisations, professionals and partners who wish to share their feedback on the Policy should email england.nhs.participation@nhs.net with ‘Accessible Information and Communication Policy’ as the subject. If you are a patient, carer or member of the public and have feedback, a concern or complaint, please get in touch with our Customer Contact Centre.
Other useful resources
- Health Professionals – Resources to support health professionals including “The Hospital Communication Book“.
- Pharmacy Settings – A range of resources to help in Pharmacy settings has been developed as part of a Mencap Pharmacy Project. The resources can be found on the Mencap website.
- Dos and don’ts for designing for accessibility
Useful websites
- Mencap
- Macmillan Cancer Support advice on translations and accessible formats
- Accessible Information for people living in Portsmouth
- CHANGE
- Sense
- Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB)
- Action on Hearing Loss
- Shaw Trust
- Leonard Cheshire Disability
- British Institute of Learning Disabilities
- Straight Talkers
- University of Bristol “Getting Things Changed” project
Frequently asked questions
Following discussions with the British Medical Association regarding implementation of the Standard, a set of Frequently Asked Questions was developed and published on its website which may also be helpful to other health and care professionals.