Accessible Information Standard

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust wants to make sure that every Patient / Service User, can find the information and access the services they need.

People with physical, sensory and learning disabilities and those whose first language is not English should be able to contact us in a way that is right for them. Our aim to make it as easy as possible to ensure this is happening.

If you need help to understand particular documents, or require an Interpreter to be present at an appointment/meeting we can arrange this, if this is the case if you let your Health Care Professional know prior to attending your appointment/meeting we will endeavour to ensure arrangements are in place.

We can arrange for documents to be translated into other languages, Easy Read or other formats where there is a specific request.

Hearing Loops

Hearing loops are fitted in various departments across our hospitals.

If you require an induction loop at an appointment or meeting you are attending at the Trust then please contact your Health Care Professional who will endeavour to make this available

Sign Language

BSL Interpreters are available upon request; please note this should be requested prior to your appointment in order to allow time for arrangements to be made.

Other Languages

If you do not speak English as your first language we can help you to get the information you need in your language.

If you, or someone who can speak for you, call us, we can arrange for an interpreter to be present either via the telephone or face to face.

We use a nationally recognised company (AA Global Language Services Ltd). AA Global supply interpreters who have nationally recognised qualifications and will have DBS clearance (Disclosure & Barring Service - formerly CRB).

In line with patient confidentially everything you tell your interpreter is completely confidential.

Information requirements

If you need information in another format, e.g. electronically, large print or on audio tape, or need to understand a document or information in your language then please ask a member of staff who can arrange this.

An Introduction to the Accessible Information Standard

On 24 June 2015, the new Accessible Information Standard was approved by the Standardisation Committee for Care Information (SCCI).

All organisations that provide NHS or adult social care must follow the standard. This includes NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts, and GP practices. Organisations that commission (pay for and make decisions about) NHS and adult social care services must also make sure that they support the standard.

The Accessible Information Standard tells organisations how they should ensure that disabled patients/service users and, where appropriate, carers and parents, receive information in formats that they can understand, and that they receive appropriate support to help them communicate.

As part of the accessible information standard, organisations that provide NHS or adult social care must do five things. They must:

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 information about 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.

More Information 

There is more information about the accessible information standard, including the Specification and Implementation Guidance: www.england.nhs.uk/accessibleinfo

A short update about the approval of the standard is available:

• Accessible Information Standard Update July 2015 Easy Read
• Accessible Information Standard Update July 2015 Word document
• Accessible Information Standard Update July 2015 PDF
• Accessible Information Standard Update July 2015 BSL Video and Subtitles
• Accessible Information Standard Update July 2015 Audio

If you would like a copy of the introduction to Accessible Information Standard in an alternative format, for example, braille, please contact NHS England by email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 0113 825 0861.

The Accessible Information Standard also tells organisations how they should make sure that people get any support with communication that they need, for example, support from a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, deafblind manual interpreter or an advocate.

Current Progress

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is currently working towards complying with the standards.