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
Support the BMA's Urgent Prescription for General Practice campaign (05 Feb 2016)
Click on the image to go to the BMA's Urgent Prescription for General Practice campaign page.Places going fast at Londonwide LMCs’ annual conference on 20 April 2016 - don't miss out, book your place today (04 Feb 2016)
Mword - Issue 27 - February 2016 now available (04 Feb 2016)
4 February 2016 Dear Colleague, If not now, when? Saturday’s Special Conference of LMCs effectively declared...Junior doctors industrial action (20 Jan 2016)
The junior doctors’ strike on Tuesday 12 January drew widespread support from the public and across the medical profession. At the time of writing the 26 January strike has...Special LMC Conference motions (20 Jan 2016)
The motions for the Special LMC Conference 2016 are now public and can be found in the agenda for the day. The conference is on Saturday 30 January at...Queen’s Nursing Institute survey of GP nurses (20 Jan 2016)
The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) launched a major new report on general practice nursing on Monday 18 January. The report is based on an online survey completed by over 3,400...Londonwide LMCs' January 2016 Newsletter now available (20 Jan 2016)
Londonwide LMCs NewsletterNational record movement trial by Primary Care Support England (19 Jan 2016)
Primary Care Support England (PCSE) is conducting a national record movement trial using a blank document in place of a medical record. This is in preparation for a new system...RCGP North and West London events coming up (19 Jan 2016)
Minor surgery including DOPS refresher course – one day course: 10 February at the Medical Society of London This one day course designed by GPs, plastic surgeons, dermatologists and GPwSIs...Health Select Committee highlights confusion among Ministers regarding primary care (19 Jan 2016)
On Tuesday 13 January Alistair Burt MP, primary care Minister at the Department of Health, appeared before the Health Select Committee to give evidence as part of their Inquiry into...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.