A report looking into whether people with a disability can properly access information about their own health and social care has been commissioned by a South Tyneside patient champion.
The Accessible Information Questionnaire has been launched by Healthwatch South Tyneside to capture the views of people who have requested details in alternative formats so they can make the best decisions for themselves about their own care.
The purpose of the research is to ensure patients’ needs are asked for, recorded, flagged and shared with appropriate services so they receive the right support and to improve the quality of service provided – as stated under the Accessible Information Standard 2016.
From August 1st 2016, all organisations that provide NHS care and/or publicly-funded adult social care are legally required to follow the Standard. It sets out a specific, consistent approach to identifying, recording, flagging, sharing and meeting the information and communication support needs of patients, service users, carers and parents with a disability, impairment or sensory loss.
The questionnaire’s findings will be compiled in a report to highlight if people in the borough with a disability, impairment or sensory loss are able to access this information about their care easily and to find out if they are receiving the information appropriately and continuously.
The survey can be completed at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/657SKXR until May 31st.
Sue Taylor, Chair of Healthwatch South Tyneside, said: “We would urge people with a disability, impairment or sensory loss, or their relatives/carers if appropriate, to complete the survey to give Healthwatch anecdotal evidence of their experience of accessing information about their care.
“This will be used to help assess whether health and social care services in South Tyneside are meeting the Accessible Information Standard 2016. If we encounter any issues we will raise them with the appropriate commissioners to ensure improvements are made for the benefit of patients who need information in alternative formats.”
Anyone needing any support to complete the questionnaire can contact Healthwatch South Tyneside by email at info@healthwatchsouthtyneside.