Blind people put at risk of “serious harm” by not having access to the right healthcare information
A blind man in Suffolk is urging the NHS to improve
A charity's warning that people who've lost their sight are being put "at risk" when it comes to accessibility within the NHS.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People says a lack of instructions in a clear format for those with the condition, is causing many to miss important appointments.
Simon Daws, from Woodbridge in Suffolk, is legally blind and told us about his experience getting medical information: "It really does cause problems.
"The standard way hospitals send out information is by letter... but I need it to come through via email...
"Sometimes they'll ask the right things, like do I need letters in an accessible format i.e. large print, but I can't read large print, or any print anymore, so it's quite patronising to ask what format I'd like and then only give one or two options.
"That isn't good enough in this day and age."
According to a survey by the Royal Institute of Blind People (RNIB), 77% of people with accessible information needs reported rarely, or never, receiving information in alternative formats.
A further three fifths (60%) say receiving their health information in the correct format would drastically improve their quality of life.
Simon agrees: "Why should visually impaired people be at a detriment to people who can pick up letters and read them? "I know of visually impaired people who live alone and will have a pile of letters sat on their mantlepiece, waiting for a family member to come round at some point and read their letters to them.
"They'll say 'did you know you have a hospital appointment?' and the answer's obviously 'no'...
"That's not only bad for patients, it's also bad for the medical profession because that's a lost appouintment.
"The sooner they get to grips with this, the better... we should be on an even pegging with normally sighted people."
The RNIB is now calling on NHS England to prioritise embedding, and implementing a new set of standards to improve access for those affected.