Accessible Information Standard in M12 & M13

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 five (5) pharmacies in the M12 and M13 area which incorporates Ardwick, Longsight and Chorlton-on-Medlock.

All pharmacies allowed us to assess their knowledge and implementation of the AIS. Two had pharmacists (locum or permanent) who were aware of the AIS. All five of the pharmacies we visited provided forms of signposting to relevant healthcare services either via posters, leaflets or verbally by recommending the NHS website

However, none of the pharmacies in the M12 and M13 postcode area had access to the SignVideo tool for service users who are hearing impaired. This is a common trend amongst pharmacies we have visited so far in Manchester (M15, M14, M11 and M1).

Therefore, we recommended that all of the pharmacies in the M12 an M13 postcode area need to purchase and provide access to the ‘SignVideo’ BSL interpreter service for their users who are hearing impaired. Furthermore, the majority of staff and pharmacists alike in the M12 and M13 area need further training on what the AIS is and what their obligations are in relation to the standard.

Download our full report below for more information