Accessibility

The CCG is committed to maintaining and improving the accessibility of the information we produce. 

Ensuring members of our community can access relevant information, understand it and participate in healthcare conversations, engagements and consultations is very important to us.

Our Communications and Engagement Team aim to provide information that is clear, easy to read, understandable and accessible to people with specific needs.

Our pledge is to:

  • Present information correctly, clearly, timely and in plain English. We aim to reduce jargon and clearly explain what certain words or phrases mean where required
  • Liaise with colleagues local organisations who work with vulnerable groups to review information before it is printed to ensure it is clear and easy to understand. We will adapt our engagement and communications resources based on feedback.
  • Produce Easy Read communications materials offer materials in alternative formats upon request

Information in alternative formats

We have been working in partnership with the Deafness Resource Centre to make it easier for people to get the right help when they have questions or concerns about their health and healthcare. 

Issue identified
After continuous discussions with St Helens deafness resource centre and Merseyside Society of Deaf People it was clear that complaint systems where inaccessible to BSL users across the services St Helens CCG commissions.

What we did
We co-produced a BSL video with the deafness resource and we ensured that if any BSL user had an issue or experienced a barrier or wanted to provide the CCG with patient experience that they will work with St Helens deafness resource centre who will be that link that allow BSL patients to navigate the health system.

Any key issues will be escalated with the quality committee and healthwatch for triangulation of further investigate.

By phone (Voice & Text) - 01744 23887

By email – enquiries@deafnessresourcecentre.org

Upon request we can provide any of our information in a wide range of formats including:

  • large print / different coloured paper or text
  • braille
  • recorded onto a tape
  • alternative language

We want to make our engagement events / activities as accessible as possible, including information we share about the event. To do this we have a checklist that we work through when looking for venues/sourcing materials for those events.

View our event checklist

Engaging with Disabled people, an event planning guide

To find out more please contact the Engagement and Communications Team on 01744 627596 or email engagement@sthelensccg.nhs.uk

Making health and social care information accessible

From 1st August 2016 onwards, all organisations that provide NHS care and / or publicly-funded adult social care are legally required to follow the Accessible Information Standard. The Standard sets out a specific, consistent approach to identifying, recording, flagging, sharing and meeting the information and communication support needs of patients, service users, carers and parents with a disability, impairment or sensory loss. Find out more about the accessible information standard