The Dundee Courier has reported on how the local NHS trust is failing Deaf patients by not providing enough access to sign language interpreters. At fault, according to local people, is the booking system, as well as a lack of Deaf awareness.
The paper reports:
NHS Tayside is still failing the region’s deaf community, according to a concerned whistleblower.
The Courier has learnt complaints are regularly made by deaf people over a lack of access to sign language interpreters.
A key figure within Dundee’s charitable sector for the deaf and hard of hearing claims an “inflexible” booking system is leading to interpreters failing to make medical appointments for people reliant on their services.
It’s further claimed a basic lack of awareness on the part of doctors and medical staff is leading to interpreters often not being booked when necessary.
The complaints, its said, have all been passed to NHS Tayside, but very little has been addressed.
The allegations come just two years after the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) intervened in the case of an elderly Perth woman left in hospital for six days without access to an interpreter.
Claiming nothing has improved since then, the whistleblower said: “Deaf people are still turning up to appointments and there is no one there.
“It’s not the interpreter’s problem, they’re there to do a job and are frustrated too.
“It’s the booking system that isn’t flexible enough.
Read the full story here: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/dundee/335733/whistleblower-deaf-still-failed-nothing-changed/
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MW
January 4, 2017
“We meet with representatives of the deaf community through the Health and Deaf Action Group which has been set up to involve, consult and engage with deaf service users to help shape and improve access to NHS services.”
One minutes deaf community next Deaf Action group – me think they don’t know d/Deaf diversity. We have all form of communication needs not just BSL.
If that what they said …what gone wrong here??…..still having issues/problems and delivery not addressed – something gone wrong here?
I think there is a failure in the NHS for not setting up a universal access policy that address good practice where procedure and protocol must be done correctly. Working WITH d/Deaf service users but often they go to a DEAF ORGANISATION to talk about us. *sigh* I hate this institutional mentality.
There is too much conflict of interest in the NHS with procurement officers – ill fitted in the tendering and the contracting of agencies to provide communication support. Doing it badly. Probably having to work around D of H requirement and government ruling but “they” do not work WITH d/Deaf service users. I think they do need to learn from us WORKING with us.
Monitoring and evaluation process service within NHS are able/hearing led – such as UCLH has a monitoring and Interpreting group – which consist of a hearing/able chair that work internally for UCLH and a provider of communication support (hearing) sit on the body – and that has a HUGH conflict of interest. Not often working in the best interest d/Deaf service users but the establishment. Mores so, I am made aware we do have d/Deaf people sitting in those meeting “trying” to get them to listen, make changes and to hold them to account. Often conditioned and manipulated. Some have become passive recipient because they have their own vested interest in the gaining potential work.
Currently twice they have failed to provide communication support for my needs. Their appointed agency are having battles with interpreters to reduce their cost which has impacted my right to a chosen interpreter. Why have agencies fee not been cut?
I much prefer that I book an interpreter and bill the hospital direct – then I have ownership and not to feel compromised by bigotry and ignorance.
Currently this ongoing problems could lead the medical profession into malpractice. Is there anyone out there up in the Gods paying the attention? nah!…….
Cathy
January 5, 2017
What on earth is going on?! How can a “booking system” be at fault? Here in South Manchester I can get interpreters for GP appointments and hospital.
I think part of the problem is that Deaf people are not checking if an interpreter has been booked. I always get someone to ring and ask them if interpreter is booked. If not, then they are told they must book one. I do not just turn up on the day without checking first.
If more Deaf people checked before the appointment they will soon wake up and start to book them. This is not rocket science and although there is a shortage of interpreters there is still no excuse for not actually booking them. Deaf people must always check at least a week or two before the known date.