Information about the Accessible Information Standard and how patients and carers can request information and communication support in a way that they can understand.
The Accessible Information Standard is about making information easier to understand and providing it in a way that you can understand. Talk to a member of staff about how it is best to give you information in a way that you understand.
Identify – what your communication and information needs are
Record – your communication and information needs clearly on your health record
Flag – your needs so when a member of staff opens your record it shows what your communication or information needs are
Share – your information and communication needs, for example when referring you to another NHS or social care service. This should
only happen if they are allowed to see it.
Act – take action to give you the right support, for example offering you easy read information, booking an interpreter or making sure there is someone there to support you with communication
It is really important that everyone learns about their rights in the standard, to make sure you are getting the right service.
People are still learning about the standard so it is important to remind services what they need to do.
Talk to a member of staff about how it is best to give you information in a way that you understand.
A range of health information is available in British Sign Language, easy read and audio at www.
You can get more details about this leaflet from the Patient Information Centre. This includes how we made the leaflet. We can offer this leaflet in other formats. These are Braille, audio, large print, Easy Read, British Sign Language, and other languages.
We welcome your feedback about this leaflet. You can email pic
Published by the Patient Information Centre
2026 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Ref: PIC/793/0626 June 2026 V5
Review date 2027
Website: www.
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