Accessible Information Standard - University Lewisham Hospital
Download (PDF 788.52 KB)Summary of report content
In 2016, Healthwatch Lewisham published a report “See Hear Now - Access to health and wellbeing services for people with sensory impairments and learning disabilities”. The engagement for this inquiry was carried out before the formal deadline for the implementation of the NHS Accessible Information Standard (AIS) in July 2016. Key highlights included communication barriers for people with visual and hearing disabilities, and a lack of awareness and availability of sign language interpreters.
The Enter and View visits to University Hospital Lewisham are part of a wider review looking into the implementation of the standard in the borough, which included Enter and View visits to other providers such as GPs, pharmacies, and opticians. In addition Healthwatch Lewisham engaged with people affected by the standard such as people with sight and hearing loss and people with learning disabilities. The aim of the engagement was to gather their experience of local services in relation to the standard.
The report identifies themes around signage, information, accessibility, patient call out system, fire safety and interaction with staff.
The report contains 15 recommendations in relation to the above theme.