This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Blind patients need accessible healthcare information
New research by sight loss charity RNIB Scotland has found that blind and partially sighted people still struggle to receive healthcare information in accessible formats, which can result in them missing treatment or being confused about their healthcare needs.
Report author Laura Jones, said: "The NHS, itself, puts great emphasis on the cost, in money and time, of missed appointments to over-burdened clinics. So giving patients accessible information makes sense.
"More worryingly, as many sight loss conditions are progressive, any delays in treatment could mean unnecessary deterioration in sight."
The report also highlights that patient confidentiality is breached when people have to rely on carers, relatives or friends to read appointment letters, medication or test results.
The report found that some patients were still not informed they could request information in alternative formats, while others were bluntly told that they could cope without one. Some lacked confidence to request accessible formats as they didn't want to be considered ‘a burden’ or ‘difficult’, or even didn't feel ‘worthy enough’.
RNIB Scotland is calling for each of the country’s 14 health board to ensure that accessible information policies are fully implemented to prevent unnecessary anxiety to people with sight loss. It is also calling for awareness training for all healthcare staff on the implications that sight loss can have on communication with patients.
Latest News
16/02/2024 - 12:56
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has created a new alliance intended to clean dirty air and improve residents' health.
16/02/2024 - 10:44
Two million more GP appointments a month are being delivered for patients compared to the same month before the pandemic as part of the NHS primary care access recovery plan according to new NHS data.
15/02/2024 - 10:26
The Welsh Government has provided innovation funding of £380,000 to support two projects utilising technology in domiciliary care.
15/02/2024 - 10:13
The new Scottish health secretary has met with frontline staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
14/02/2024 - 10:27
The North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) has appointed three new Executive Directors to the Trust Board.
Product Features
UK Building Regulations highlight toxic gas and smoke from layers of paint built up over multiple redecorations as a major cause of permanent ill health or death in a building fire.
Their concern rose with discovery the flame retardant paints most widely used paint along escape routes have been ones which to this day counter-productively use emission of heavy toxic gas to smother flames which rapidly spread along walls if layers of paint delaminate in a fire.
Supplier Profiles
Northwich’s Victoria Infirmary (VIN) Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has enabled more patients
Adveco, the commercial hot water specialist, announces the launch of live metering of domestic ho
Latest Features
Sarah Greenslade, public affairs and communications officer at the British Parking Association looks at some of the problems and innovations in healthcare parking
It’s easy to assume that the comms team is there to handle press enquiries and the occasional social media storm – but the reality is that strategic communications can make a measurable impact across the entire organisation, from operational to financial, when done properly
