Expo is the most significant annual health and social care event in the calendar, uniting more NHS and care leaders, commissioners, clinicians, voluntary sector partners, innovators and media than any other health and care event. Expo 15 returned to Manchester and was hosted once again by NHS England. Around 5000 people a day from health and care, the voluntary sector, local government, and industry joined together at Manchester Central Convention Centre for two packed days of speakers, workshops, exhibitions and professional development. This year, Expo was more relevant and engaging than ever before, happening within the first 100 days of the new Government, and almost 12 months after the publication of the NHS Five Year Forward View. It was also a great opportunity to check on and learn from the progress of Greater Manchester as the area prepares to take over a £6 billion devolved health and social care budget, pledging to integrate hospital, community, primary and social care and vastly improve health and well-being. More information is available online: www.expo.nhs.uk

1. The Accessible Information Standard –
What, Why and How
Olivia Butterworth– Head of Public Participation, NHS England
WarrenOldreive and Mary Waight - Berkshire Foundation NHS Trust
Alec Porter- City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

2. • With partners, NHS England has
developed a new ‘Accessible Information
Standard’ (SCCI1605Accessible
Information).
• The Standard provides direction to the
health and care system around
accessible information and
communication support for patients,
service users, carers andparents with a
disability, impairment or sensoryloss.
What’s the big idea?

3. Why do we need a new Standard?
• The Equality Act 2010 places a legal duty on all service providers to make
“reasonable adjustments” to support disabled people – including providing
information in “an accessible format”.
• However, in practice, service users with communication needs often receive
inaccessible information and are not provided with the communication
support they need. This has implications for patient choice, safety, and
experience.

4. Why do we need the Standard?
• Insert video

5. The Standard sets out a consistent, routine and improved approach
to:
• identification
• recording
• ‘flagging’
• sharing and
• meeting of needs.
What does it mean?

6. Impact of the standard #1
As a resultof the Standard,patients, service
users, carers and parents should:
• Be able to make contactwith, and be
contactedby, services in accessibleways.
• Receive correspondence and information
in accessibleformats, including
alternativesto ‘standard’printedEnglish.

7. Impact of the standard #2
As a result of the Standard, patients, service
users, carers and parents should:
• Be supported by a communication
professional at their appointments
if this is needed to enable effective,
accurate two-way discussion.
• Receive support from health and care staff
and organisations to support effective
communication.

8. Timescales and requirements
• The Standardwas approved in June 2015and published on 3
July 2015.
• Compliance with the Standardis mandatoryfor all
organisationsthatprovide NHS or adult social care.
• There is a 12 month implementation period –full compliance is
required by 31 July 2016.
• There are three other milestones in advance of 31 July 2016,
including that organisationsmusthave a plan for
implementation by 1 September – have you?

9. How can I find out more and further help?
• Sign-up to receive updates about this work
and / or find out more at
www.england.nhs.uk/accessibleinfo
• Please email england.nhs.participation@nhs.net with
queries or to request documents in alternative formats.