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W3C-validated CSS 2.13.16 Involving people: Making sure IP is accessible to black and minority ethnic (BME) users
Learning from the pilots
- Provide information in community languages, and a range of formats
In general, BME patients and their carers receive less information about their condition and its management than white people, and translated materials that are given are of poor quality.[1][2] There is evidence to suggest that, overall, BME patients are: less likely to be given written materials to take away from their consultation; less likely to understand diagnosis and treatment options; and, can often be provided with poor-quality translated written materials.
There is some evidence that a mixed-format approach may work best, such as combining healthcare professional advice with written material and a videotape in the appropriate language. It was also thought to be important to clearly signpost where foreign-language versions can be obtained, or where there are translation services, on websites and on written information.
- Forge links with BME voluntary and community sector groups
Sites found it useful to identify voluntary and community sector groups that represent the interests of the BME communities and involve them early on in the pilot, and throughout. It was thought that these organisations were best placed to help:
- Raise awareness of the IP project and aims in local communities
- Identify the particular information needs, and support needs of BME groups
- Support the development of appropriate, high-quality materials
- Dispense information, for example, through local community centres
- Providing information in different community languages.
Case study: Hammersmith and Fulham – Translation service
Recognising the diversity of the communities targeted by their IP scheme, Hammersmith and Fulham developed a telephone helpline to complement the face-to-face IP dispensing. On ringing a freephone number users have access to a service that will translate IP information into community languages.
Case study: Manchester
Leads in this site have worked extensively to link with local voluntary and community sector organisations, to ensure that very difficult to reach groups are able to access IP, and the related information. For example, local charities that work with the traveller community, asylum seekers and those without legal status, people affected by HIV/AIDS and those advocating on behalf of black and minority ethnic groups.
The template has been designed to be very accessible to those with low literacy levels and several iterations of the template were circulated to members of the key voluntary and community sector organisations for comment and editing.
Footnotes:
1. National Cancer Alliance. Information needs of South Asian cancer patients and carers – a qualitative study, August 2002;
2. Evaluation of the BIG Living with Cancer Initiative November 2005; and http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/assets/bigtimes_ni_nov05.pdf
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