Making health and social care information accessible
The new Accessible Information Standards for GP Practices has been launched by NHS England and comes into force on 31 July 2016. Practices must ensure that all information and communication support is provided in appropriate formats for people who have a disability, an impairment or have experienced sensory loss. The aim is for them to have access to information that can be easily understood, for example in large print, braille or translation via a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.
By 1 September 2015, practices should:
- Prepare for implementation of the Standard, including assessing their current systems and processes, develop and commence roll out of a local implementation plan.
- Ensure implementation guidance accompanying the Standard has been read and used to inform local decision-making.
By 1 April 2016, practices are required to:
- Review how they will ensure that people will be able to receive information/communications which they can readily access and understand.
- Practices will need to be in a position to identify and record information/communication needs when patients first contact/register.
- Identify and record information/communication needs as part of ongoing contact by patients already registered
By 31 July 2016, practices will need to have done the following:
- Identified all patient information/communication needs
- Highlighted or ‘flagged’ in the person’s file or notes so it is clear that they have information or communication needs and how those needs should be met.
- Recorded the details clearly
- Flagged the patients’ notes accordingly
- Shared people’s information and communication needs with other providers of NHS and adult social care, when they have consent or permission to do so.
- Ensure people receive information they can access and understand, and receive communication support if they need
Requirements, criteria and timelines practices must follow are outlined in the specifications.
Enquiries regarding implementation of the Accessible Information Standard should
be directed to NHS England by emailing england.nhs.participation@nhs.net
Further information and documentation about the Accessible Information Standard can be found at www.england.nhs.uk/accessibleinfo
Last updated : 12 Aug 2015
What they said about the GP Essential Toolkit conference (05 Jul 2017)
Our first Essential Toolkit for GPs on Tuesday 4 July, 2017 was a huge success. See some of the top tweets from speakers and attendees below: ...GP volunteers needed for Grenfell Tower residents (22 Jun 2017)
Over the last few days we have seen a fantastic response to the Grenfell Tower fire from London GPs and practice teams, working in very difficult circumstances both practically and...Londonwide LMCs' June 2017 newsletter (21 Jun 2017)
...May 2017 workforce survey – thank you for responding (20 Jun 2017)
Our latest workforce survey closed on Tuesday 20 June, we received over 750 responses, representing over 550 practices. Thank you to those who took the time to provide us with...HR in general practice: recruitment and selection (16 Jun 2017)
Londonwide LMCs recently ran a recruitment and selection workshop for GPs and practice management colleagues. The day was full of lively discussion as delegates considered all aspects of the recruitment...Guest blog: Engaged patients boost your practice (16 Jun 2017)
This week (w/c 19 June) is patient participation awareness week. East London GP and LMC member Dr Naomi Beer tells us about the benefits of patient engagement and how it...General election 2017 – Summary of London results (15 Jun 2017)
Election night ended with a hung parliament and in London those boroughs represented by Londonwide LMCs saw Labour gain three seats from the Conservatives, Kensington, Battersea and Enfield Southgate. The...Fire at Grenfell Tower - assisting with relief work (15 Jun 2017)
Following on from the tragic events in Kensington yesterday morning, Londonwide LMCs is here to support you and your practice staff at this difficult time. Please remember look out for...CQC plans changes to inspection regime (15 Jun 2017)
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has launched a consultation on proposals to change the general practice inspection regime to include practices providing annual written evidence on how they intend...Obituary: Dr Chris Jowett 19 August 1952 – 27 May 2017 (14 Jun 2017)
Last month we lost Dr Chris Jowett, the treasurer of our board, former vice-chair of Hillingdon LMC and a prolific advocate for London general practice for over three decades. This...Guidance
We provide expert guidance for practices in our guidance section, as well as an archive of other materials you may find useful.
GP Support
Contact our GP Support team if you need help or advice.
The team provide professional and pastoral support to GPs and practice teams on a broad range of issues.