What is a health passport?
A health passport is a document that can help explain your medical needs and care and communication preferences. This helps make sure that you receive care that works for you, and are comfortable during your visit to a hospital or other health and care service.
Who can have one?
Anyone is entitled to a health passport, but they are most commonly used by people with a learning disability or people who are autistic, to explain communication and sensory preferences, along with any medical needs. For example, if you mostly communicate in Makaton, or would like Easy Read versions of medical documents and letters, having a health passport can help make staff aware of this. If you have an aversion to certain textures of food, or prefer to take your medication in a specific way e.g: at a certain time or with a specific drink, having this information in a health passport means the people looking after you at a hospital or care service can make sure this is available to you.
What are the benefits?
Having a health passport is a great way to make sure that your visits to a health or care service are as comfortable as possible. Making sure staff are aware of any communication needs means that you can feel more understood and staff can explain things in a way that works for you.
How can I get a health passport?
You can find a template for your health passport on the NHS website: NHS Health and Care Passports.
You can also find the North East North Cumbria Learning Disability Network’ health passport here: North East North Cumbria Learning Disability Network Health Passport.
You can also make your own digital or paper version of a health passport, to include your communication and care preferences.
How can I use this passport once I have one?
Bring your passport along to your next appointment or email it to the service ahead of your visit. This should mean that the staff will be able to attach a copy of your passport onto your record.
Tell us your thoughts
Have you used a health passport at an appointment before? Did you find that staff were able to understand you better and accommodate your needs and preferences?
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To view an Easy Read version of this article click this link: Health passports easy read information