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Healthwatch has written an open letter to NHS England to improve the Accessible Information Standard (AIS).
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This has been signed by eight other members of the Your Care, Your Way campaign, including Learning Disability England.
![](https://www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Good-Information-2.png)
The Your Care, Your Way campaign is trying to help make sure people are receiving healthcare in the way they understand.
![](https://www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AIS-Logo-1.png)
All providers of NHS care or other publicly-funded adult social care must meet the Accessible Information Standard (AIS).
![](https://www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Confused1-1-2.png)
A year ago NHS England reviewed the AIS but we still don’t know when it will be published or the changes they plan on making.
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Like Healthwatch, we hear from people that there are still barriers to accessing health and social care.
![](https://www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Poor-Information-1.png)
People aren’t getting information in the format they need.
![](https://www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Speech-Bubble-6-1.png)
As Gary Bourlet, Membership and Engagement Lead, explains:
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“Our members know how important accessible information is for people to be able to understand what is happening, make decisions and be in control of their life.
![](https://www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Information-book-cd.png)
It is important to think about what format will help people the most, like audio or animation.
![](https://www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Share-Information-3-1.png)
People don’t just need accessible communication either, they need support to understand it.
![](https://www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Approved-1.png)
That is why it was so important that we support this campaign.
Having information that makes sense helps people to lead Good Lives.”
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The letter is asking NHS England to publish the review of the AIS and be clear about how they will take forward the recommendations it makes.
![](https://www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Brown-Envelope-1.png)
It has been sent to Dr Neil Churchill, Director for Experience, Participation and Equalities at NHS England.