Photo of three people pointing in different directions.Resources

This page contains links and downloads to useful resources for producing information. You can access a wider selection in the links section, but here we have tried to include a few key resources structured around the information production process and the themes of improving quality and accessibility.

Full guidance

  • The Patient Information Forum (PiF) is an independent forum for the sharing of good practice amongst those involved in the production and dissemination of high-quality patient information. Visit PiF's website to find comprehensive information on the development, production, and dissemination of high-quality information for patients, carers, and their families.
  • We developed guidance for producing and distributing information for local communities. This guidance was written specifically for Community Health Partnerships (CHPs), giving practical support and advice on producing and distributing information on health and social care services provided in CHP areas. But we hope that the guidance is of use to anyone involved in information production more widely.
  • Mark Duman (Chair of the Patient Information Forum) produced a step-by-step guide to explain how health care organisations can make sure that the information they produce for patients really meets their needs. The guide is called "Producing Patient Information: How to research, develop and produce effective information resources" and is available to buy from the King's Fund website.
  • The Participation Toolkit has been compiled by the Scottish Health Council to support NHS staff in delivering Patient Focus and Public Involvement. It offers a number of tried and tested tools along with some more recently developed approaches.

Improving quality 

  • The NHS has produced guidelines for anyone who produces written information for NHS patients, their carers and the public. It has been designed to raise the standard of written information for patients, their carers and people who use NHS services. It aims to make sure that information being developed is clear, concise, relevant, accurate and in everyday language.
  • The PIF guide to appraising health information is about assessing the quality of information, and the processes used to develop it. The guide is for people and organisations that produce health information for patients and the public.  It can be used by any size of organisation, in any sector.
  • The Plain English Campaign has produced a series of guides to writing in plain English. These are available to download free of charge from the Plain English Campaign website.
  • The Plain Language Commission have developed a Plain English Lexicon. This is free to download from their website.

Accessibility

  • The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAiF) works to improve accessible information for disabled people by producing and promoting standards and guidelines. The SAiF website is a useful source of reference. Resources that may be of particular interest include:
    • Making information accessible checklist/poster - this checklist highlights a number of key considerations for producing accessible information, helping you to meet the needs of disabled people.
    • Scottish Formats Resource 2009 - the Scottish Formats Resource is available on-line as a searchable database and on CD-ROM with information about translation, transcription, interpreting and publishing services.
  • The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has a range of information on accessibility on their website, including information on good design. 

Page last edited: 11 August 2011