Accessible Information Standard in M15

The Accessible Information Standard aims to make sure that people who have a disability or sensory loss get information that they can access and understand, and any communication support that they need.

AIS tells organisation how they should make sure that patients and service users, and their carers and parents, can access and understand the information they are given. This includes making sure that people get information in accessible formats. The Standard also tells organisation how they should make sure that people get support from a communication professional if they need it, and about changing working practices to support effective communication.

Healthwatch Manchester visited four (4) pharmacies in the M15 area which incorporates Moss Side, Hulme, and St George's. 

All pharmacies expressed a willingness to comply with the NHS AIS at the time of our visits however we observed little signposting information to relevant services. Results ranged from no signposting at all, to just the most basic public health information being in place. Where signposting was available, it wasn’t able to be verified for its accuracy at the time of visit.

Therefore we concluded that investment should be made in resources to ensure that local pharmacies are in compliance with the AIS. Moreover, we recommended that these reviews should take place on a regular basis and in collaboration with the GMLPC and CQC.

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