Accessible Information Standard

The Accessible Information Standard (AIS) is a national standard for all NHS and social care providers. It means all NHS Trusts must offer reasonable adjustments to help people who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss to understand information. It applies to communication during an appointment and any information we provide.

We must follow these five requirements of the standard so that people using our services can access and understand the information:

1. Identify needs

•  ask people if they have any information or communication needs, and find out how to meet their needs.

2. Record needs

• record those needs in a clear and standardised way in electronic and paper notes.

3. Flag needs

• ensure that recorded needs are visible and prompt staff to act whenever they look at a patient’s notes.

4. Share needs

• include information about people’s needs when we share information with, or refer to, other services.

5. Meet needs

• make sure that people receive information they can access and understand, and can get communication support if they need it.

Please ask your clinician if you need any information in a different format. We will record your needs for all future appointments.

Services we offer

It is our responsibility as an NHS organisation to follow the Standard. To meet the needs of the patients and carers we serve.

You can self-define your information or communication support needs. We will record these needs (rather than disabilities).

If we are not meeting your needs, please let us know so we can fix this. Please talk to your clinician about this first. If you are not getting the support you need, contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) team.

Interpreting services are available for those people whose first language is not English. If you would like any of our information in your language, please talk to your clinician.

Further information

• More information about the Standard is available on the NHS England website.
• Mencap has created an easy read guide to getting information you can understand from health and social care services.
• Charities including Sense and the Royal National Institute of Blind people (RNIB) also have helpful information about the Standard.