If you have a disability or impairment you are legally entitled to accessible information.
Accessible information provides your healthcare information in a way you can understand.
There are a number of options available to suit your needs such as:
- an interpreter if you are Deaf and use British Sign Language (BSL) or have a hearing or speech impairment
- your letters in braille or large print if you have a visual impairment
- your hospital information in easy read if you have a learning disability.
How to access accessible information options
Staff will ask you if you have any accessible information or reasonable adjustment needs during their first contact with you.
They will also check this is up-to-date throughout your care, to make sure your needs are consistently met.
You can tell us about your accessible information or reasonable adjustment needs before your first appointment, or later if your needs change.
If you have received an appointment letter from us, you can contact your clinical team using the details provided on your letter, to tell us if you require any support.
You can also tell our staff at reception when you arrive.
If you’ve signed up to Patients Know Best, our patient portal, you can update your own records with the support you need.
What to do if you can’t find the support you need or if we don’t provide it
You can:
- Ask a member of the team your care is with or any member of staff if you are in the Emergency Department
- Contact our Patient Experience Team if you have asked for adjustments and they were not provided – email patientexperience@nhs.net
- Share your feedback anonymously using the Friends and Family Test (FFT) survey – you should receive this after you have been to the hospital.
