RNID uses evidence to inform our work to change the lives of individuals, systems and services, and society and public attitudes. This policy statement draws on insights from our evidence review and work with deaf people and people with hearing loss to explore the changes we want to see, and how we can make that a reality. Each nation in the UK has a different approach to accessible healthcare policy....
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
No actionable change to clinical practice; however, UK audiologists and clinic owners should be aware of their existing obligations under the Accessible Information Standard and monitor any policy updates that may strengthen enforcement.
Strengthening the Accessible Information Standard could compel NHS and independent providers to systematically improve communication access for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients, reducing care inequalities.
- 01RNID calls for systemic reform of the Accessible Information Standard in NHS and wider healthcare settings.
- 02Policy positions are informed by evidence and first-hand accounts from deaf and hearing-loss communities.
- 03The statement targets structural and societal barriers, not just individual clinical interactions.
- 04Relevant to UK healthcare providers with legal duties to make information accessible.
- 05No new clinical evidence is presented; this is an advocacy and policy document.
Deaf people and those with hearing loss face systemic barriers to accessing appropriately formatted health information within NHS services.
opinionpartially supported