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Man and woman talking. Blue flag icon and blue tick between them.

What is this leaflet for?

This leaflet gives easy read information about the digital flag, what it is and how it can help you.

A member of staff or a carer can support you to read this. They will be able to answer any questions that you have.

Nurse shaking hands with a man. A lady is standing next to the man. The blue flag icon is behind them.

Getting better support

We want to make getting support from our services as easy as possible. We have set up a system which will let us know if you have learning disability or are autistic. We are calling this a flag.

A laptop with the blue flag icon on the screen

This is kept in our electronic patient record system and shows up when a member of staff looks at your records.

Two nurses and a carer with a lady holding on to a walking aid. The blue flag icon is behind them.

This information will help us look after you when we see you. All staff can see this information.

This means you should only need to tell us once.

Three hospital staff on the left and a laptop with the NHS logo on the screen. The blue flag is at the top of the photo and underneath is the words Autism and Learning Disability.

What is the flag?

The Flag will be part of your clinical record. The flag uses information from different places across the NHS system.

The flag will let staff know that you may have autism, a learning disability or both.

Staff will talk to you about what would help you.

A man is lying on the floor having a seizure. There is a bright glowing light bulb above him.

Some examples may be:

I have light sensitive epilepsy.

An easy read form with words and pictures.

I find listening hard but words or pictures help me listen and remember.

A woman holding a finger to her lips

I need a quiet space.

Three people signing and an image of hearing aid on the right of the photo

I have a hearing impairment or use British Sign Language.

A person holding a sign with Name written on it

What do we need to know?

Things that you like, for example:

What I like to be called.

A black changing room sign with white icons of a man and woman

I need a changing place for personal care.

The shadow of a person holding up their hand when another person is trying to touch them

Things that you do not like, for example:

Do not touch me without permission.

A woman is in a room with lots of other people and covering her ears to keep out the noise

Crowded and loud spaces. 

Two people sitting at a small table. One of them is explaining something to the other.

Not knowing what is happening.

A woman sitting in a waiting room looking at her watch

Kept waiting a long time. 

A woman in her wheelchair with someone pushing from behind and a nurse next to them. They are standing in front of a hospital.

Support you may need:

Let us know if you will be bringing a carer or someone with you when coming to appointments.

A red telephone with large black buttons

Let us know your carer’s contact details.

A red minibus with the back doors open a wheelchair ramp lowered to the ground.

Help to get to appointments.

A woman is shaking hands with a man. The blue flag icon is between them.

What happens next?

The person working with you will tell you that you have a flag. They will talk to you about things that will support you. They will write this in your clinical record.

Five people with different jobs are standing in a row. The middle person is holding up a sign that says Team.

What if my needs change?

Speak to a member of your care team or a member of staff if you think the information is wrong or needs to be changed.

Have your say easy read leaflet cover

Problems, complaints or suggestions

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust has a complaints policy.

If you want to complain we will give you a leaflet to explain how to, or you can talk to a member of staff.

If you think there are things we could do to make our service better please tell a member of the team.

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Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.

This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (Braille, audio, larger print, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre on 0191 246 7288.

Published by the Patient Information Centre

2024 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Ref: PIC/885/1124 November 2024 V2

Website: www.cntw.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0191 246 7288

Review date 2026

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