THE INFORMATION STANDARD ANNOUNCES CHARITY RELATE AS 200TH MEMBER
The UK’s largest provider of relationship support has become the latest organisation to demonstrate its commitment to quality health and care information
The Information Standard, a certification scheme for health and care information, has today announced national charity, Relate, as its 200th member. The UK’s largest provider of relationship support joins many other health organisations, including charities, local authorities and NHS trusts, in demonstrating to the public that it can provide reliable, evidence based and trustworthy health and care information.
Ruth Sutherland, CEO of Relate, commented: “Last year, over one million people of all ages, backgrounds and sexual orientations turned to Relate for advice and guidance on having healthy and happy relationships. With this many people relying on us for support and advice, it is vital that that we can reassure them about the quality of information we are providing. I am delighted, therefore, that Relate has become The Information Standard’s 200th member since clear communication is at the heart of our work. In receiving The Information Standard’s kite-mark, which is backed by the Department of Health, sends the message to our clients and stakeholders that we are an organisation committed to providing accurate and accessible information.”
The majority of people, almost eight in 10* (78 per cent), think it is easy to be misled by health information. The reality of this is further highlighted in a recent survey carried out by The Information Standard, which revealed that the public is still confused by health related old wives’ tales. Three quarters (76 per cent) falsely believe that reading in dim light will damage their eyes.*
The Information Standard wants people to act on trustworthy health information, as Ann Robinson, director of public awareness, explains: “Having the confidence to trust health and care information is critical to many people's lives. Whether people are trying to find out about a specific condition, what to expect, or how to manage it, they need reliable information. This is why it is important that any organisation producing health information can prove that it can be relied upon. Relate is now able to display The Information Standard quality mark and will therefore immediately be able to differentiate itself from competitors, as producing high quality information that people can trust.”
Any organisation that produces health or care information can apply to join the scheme, which is supported by the Department of Health. If they meet the quality criteria of the standard and are certified then the organisation can place The Information Standard quality mark on its materials.
Organisations looking to make their mark in the industry as providers of reliable and trustworthy health and care information should visit www.theinformationstandard.orgor call 01256 383 890.
Last updated: 18/09/2012
