Deaf News: Bristol NHS Nightingale Hospital responds to Makaton controversy

Bristol’s NHS Nightingale Hospital has confirmed that their use of Makaton is “solely as a staff to staff communication mechanism”, after deaf organisations raised concerns that the language programme could be used with Deaf coronavirus patients.

The news follows a BBC News interview, in which Nurse Clinical Lead Deborah Thompson said: “I knew from looking at other hospitals that communication in PPE could be an issue.

“So I looked to see if there was some training in sign language that we could incorporate.”

It also comes after a joint statement was published by the Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD) and the awarding body iBSL on Monday, in response to comments by two members of the Bristol Deaf community.

“We are deeply concerned about a growing expectation for Deaf people to access critical information including UK government advice about COVID-19 in a second or third language (English) – or to rely on other unsuitable signed forms of communication, such as Makaton.

“Makaton is a communication system designed to support disabled people and those with learning disabilities. It is not an equivalent to BSL – and therefore is a potentially dangerous ‘alternative’.

“We are concerned that the Bristol Nightingale Hospital that serves a strong Deaf community from across the South West of England has implemented Makaton as its main alternative communication support for Deaf and disabled people,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, the National Register of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Disabled People (NRCPD), stressed that “Makaton isn’t sign language”.

In a series of posts on Twitter, the organisation said: “It supports spoken English for those with learning/communication difficulties. BSL is language of UK Deaf sign language users & only Registered BSL Interpreters/Translators should provide access to info in BSL.

“Those being trained may think that they can communicate in Makaton with patients who are Deaf BSL users, when it should be BSL. It should only be Registered BSL interpreters/translators who should provide info to Deaf BSL users in BSL.”

However, a spokesperson for NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol said “there is absolutely no intention” for Makaton to be used with patients, unless it is “their preferred communication system”.

“As you may be aware, our hospital is commissioned as a COVID19 pandemic surge intensive care facility which would, in the event that it is needed, provide 300 fully ventilated intensive care beds.

“Each and every patient will receive person-centred care based on their individual needs and any and all communication needs will be taken fully into account by our dedicated and committed staff who will arrange for appropriate interpreters or communication aids as needed,” they said.

Photo: North Bristol NHS Trust.

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Update: In a follow-up statement, RAD and iBSL said they had spoken to NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol, who confirmed that the use of Makaton is “is solely as a staff-to-staff communication mechanism” and “will not be used as a communication method with Deaf patients”.

They said: “We are grateful of the opportunity to raise awareness of the difference between British Sign Language (BSL) and Makaton – and of the importance of supporting healthcare providers to ensure that Deaf patients receive accessible information and care, in their first or preferred language; BSL.

“We will be supporting the NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol with Deaf Awareness Training for its staff; and look forward to sharing and promoting examples of best practice in terms of services provided to Deaf people.”

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.