Accessibility standards not being met

A report has highlighted how disabled patients avoid seeking medical appointments and experience communication barriers when they do access healthcare.

A review of the NHS Accessible Information Standard was published by a coalition of charities, including the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

Phil Ambler, England county director at the RNIB, explained blind and partially sighted patients encountered a series of obstacles that put their health at risk.

‘We need urgent action to get patients the information they need in formats they can read, and not another five years of missed appointments and incomplete information. Simple changes can make a massive impact,’ Ambler said.