Following a review of its information production processes, SWLSTG met the programme’s certification criteria and will therefore be able to display The Information Standard quality mark on its patient information literature.
Ann Robinson, director of public awareness for The Information Standard, commented: “With so much information available now, it is vital the public be able to differentiate between information that is and isn’t trustworthy. This is why The Information Standard was established, with its easy to spot quality mark, the public just need to check the mark is on the leaflet or website they’re reading to know that the health information produced by that organisation can be relied upon. It is great therefore that South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust has become the latest member of the programme and has been recognised as being a trustworthy source of information.”
The need for the public to be able to find trustworthy health information was highlighted in a survey, carried out by The Information Standard, which found that eight in 10 people * (78 per cent) think if you are not a health professional, it’s easy to be misled by health information. In addition, almost half (49 per cent) of respondents admit that in the past they have believed a piece of health information to be true only to find out later it was inaccurate.