The Information Standard

In February 2011, NAM achieved certification with the Information Standard, a nationally recognised quality mark.

The Information Standard scheme was developed by the UK Department of Health to help the public identify trustworthy, good quality, health and social care information easily.

A key aim of the Information Standard is to provide an effective way for people to make judgements about health and social care information, to support decisions regarding their lifestyle, treatment and care.

At NAM we believe that, wherever you are in the world, having independent, clear and accurate information is vital in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

In achieving certification with the Standard, NAM has demonstrated that our information production systems enable us to produce information that is:

  • accurate and up to date
  • impartial and balanced
  • evidence-based
  • accessible
  • well-written.

A rigorous certification audit has confirmed that the processes we use to produce our information resources help us to meet the needs of our audiences and to involve them in the development and design.

All the information resources for patients and the public in the UK produced by NAM will now comply with the Standard’s requirements, in line with our policy statement (see below). User-generated information, such as blogs, comments and personal stories, are excluded from the Information Standard's scope. 

If you would like to know more about NAM’s information production processes (including how you can become involved), please contact us.

You can find out more about the Information Standard at www.theinformationstandard.org.

NAM holds responsibility for the accuracy of the information we publish. Neither the scheme operator (Capita) nor the scheme owner (the Department of Health) shall have any responsibility whatsoever for costs, losses, direct or indirect damages or costs arising from inaccuracy of information or omissions in information published on the website on behalf of NAM.

Our Information Standard policy statement

1.                  Commitment to the Information Standard

NAM is an award-winning, community-based HIV/AIDS information provider. We are fully committed to using the Information Standard scheme to maintain and improve our information production system and the quality of our information.

2.                  NAM’s background

NAM was established by Peter Scott in 1987. At the time, Peter was working on the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, and was constantly in contact with the community most affected by HIV. There was extensive misinformation about HIV and AIDS, much of it confused and homophobic. Peter identified the need for clear, plain language information resources, based in evidence.

NAM soon became the UK’s primary source of high quality information on all aspects of the epidemic. As audiences have grown and diversified within the UK and abroad, so NAM has constantly revised, rewritten and adapted its resources to take account of new needs.

3.                  NAM’s mission and purpose

The organisation has a clear mission statement describing how information provision relates to the charity’s core business:

NAM exists to support the fight against AIDS with independent, accurate, accessible and comprehensive information on all aspects of HIV. We aim to create and disseminate information resources rooted in the experience of those most affected, enabling individuals and communities to take action and control in responding to HIV and AIDS.

We deliver reliable and accurate HIV information across the world to HIV-positive people and to the professionals and volunteers who treat, support and care for them. NAM believes that information empowers people to make decisions about, and be in control of, their lives, health and treatment. By working to ensure our resources are read by people personally affected by HIV, and those working with them, we enable genuine dialogue and closer understanding, resulting in more effective treatment, care and services.

NAM’s purpose, including our commitment to providing accurate, relevant, accessible information, is clearly stated on our website (www.aidsmap.com), and in our publications.

NAM is committed to:

  • the production of good quality information

  • ensuring that all the information in scope for the Information Standard meets the requirements of this Information Production System

  • reviewing all information materials for continuing suitability and updating them as necessary

  • ensuring that all those involved in producing the information are aware of, and comply with, the policy statement and the requirements of the Information Standard

  • maintaining records to show acknowledgement of the policy statement and its implications by all those involved in producing the information.

4.                  Management commitment

NAM’s Board of trustees has endorsed NAM’s commitment to the Information Standard and the principles it espouses, and has placed ultimate responsibility for NAM’s information production system with the Executive Director.

Operational responsibility for the IPS, and for compliance with the Information Standard, is held by the Editorial Team Manager.

Caspar Thomson

Executive Director

December 2011