Helping people to get health and care information the way they need it.

Over the last 5 years we’ve worked hard to work with Trusts to improve their support for people who have additional communication needs. These have included:

• Hearing loop audit and installation of new hearing loops and equipment. 

• Staff champions were identified to raise the profile and understanding of AIS in their work areas. 

  We chatted to Adam Littlefield, Lead for Patient Voice and Involvement at East Kent Hospitals about our ongoing work and what East Kent Hospitals has planned to further meet the communication needs of the people they serve.

Listen what Adam said here

We’re not alone in our work. Read about Healthwatch England's concerns around the need for a review of AIS

Last year we also completed a visit with a member of the public to Hawkhurst Community Hospital who uses a communication aid t to test their Accessible Information Standards. The visit was conducted with Peter Zein and Nicola Clements (Matron).

The team where very impressed with the amount of time and effort that Hawkhurst Community Hospital has put into ensuring that all patients are able to access information. Nicola commented that “AIS is just an everyday part of our working practice here at Hawkhurst and is embedded in everything that we do.” Peter who had used the hospital previously commented “ Hawkhurst is one of best hospitals when it comes to understanding my communication needs. Staff are accommodating and knowledgeable of my needs.”

Earlier this year The team at Healthwatch Kent have been shortlisted for The National Healthwatch Impact Award which recognises outstanding examples of where the views of local people have been used to make positive changes to local NHS and social care services. We have been recognised  for work related to the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) project we are constantly working on.