I WOULD like to tell your blind and partially-sighted readers, perhaps through the local talking newspaper service, their family and carers, that they are now entitled to have their NHS and Social Care communications and information in a format they can read, eg large print, Braille, audio or email.

These documents could include appointment letters, test results or information about their health condition. It is easy to request this, simply writing a letter to their GP practice, informing them of their preferred reading format and quoting the NHS Communication and Information Standard, SCCI 1605.

It is now mandatory for GPs, hospitals, dentists and pharmacies to record the preferred format of their blind and partially sighted patients and to have systems in place to do this.

Why should anyone have to have personal and confidential health information read to them by a complete stranger?

For more information about this or any issues affecting people living with sight loss visit rnib.org.uk or contact the Campaigns Team on 020 7391 2123 or email campaigns@rnib.org.uk

Tony Jenkins

RNIB Volunteer Campaign Assistant

North West England