Impairment Harmonised Standard

The Impairment Harmonised Standard describes the types of physical or mental health impairment affecting a PERSON which significantly impacts their ability to undertake particular functions.

An impairment with significant impact lasting 12 months or more is a DISABILITY.

The Impairment Harmonised Standard is consistent with the definitions and guidelines in UK legislation, including the Equality Act 2010 in Great Britain (GB).

The Impairment Harmonised Standard  is utilised to enable visibility of Reasonable Adjustments required to enable a PATIENT to access SERVICES within:

• Clinical systems

• Administrative systems

• NHS Spine (accessible via the Summary Care Record application (SCRa) or through future integrated systems).

This is to indicate DISABILITY and impairment in the systems in relation to (but not limited to) the Equality Act 2010  and the Information Standard DAPB4019: Flagging of Reasonable Adjustment.

For further information on the Reasonable Adjustment Flag functionality on the NHS Spine (utilising Summary Care Record application or future integrated systems), see the NHS England  website at: Reasonable Adjustment Flag.

For further information on the Impairment Harmonised Standard, see the Government Statistical Service (GSS) website at: Impairment Harmonised Standard website.