Accessible Information Standard in M16

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 M16 area which incorporates Whalley Range, Firswood and Moss Side.

All pharmacies allowed us to assess their knowledge and implementation of the AIS however only one of the four pharmacies had at least vague knowledge of what the AIS is.

None of the four pharmacies we visited provided access to a BSL relay service such as SignVideo however all four of the pharmacies provided signposting leaflets and posters pointing service users to different helpline and support services in Manchester.