Deaf News: Liverpool’s GPs to offer BSL through service run by Deaf people and interpreters

British Sign Language (BSL) services for GP surgeries in Liverpool will be provided by the first organisation co-run by Deaf people and interpreters from next month, it has been announced.

Signalise was set up in 2019 as a co-operative, meaning any profits generated are reinvested back into the project and its local community.

Those behind the initiative, which involves an online interpreter booking system designed by its users, say its “automated and online” approach means costs are kept down and interpreters are “paid fairly”.

Geraldine O’Halloran, a Deaf board member for Signalise, said: “At long last we have a co-operative that really does listen and involve Deaf members. Our motto is ‘nothing about us without us’ and this means Signalise Co-op puts Deaf clients at the very centre of the service.

“This has never happened before. Deaf people have a real opportunity to take back control and ensure we work with our interpreters, as partners, to get the service we need. [It’s] a great day, and liberating for the Deaf community.”

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell MP and Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome are among those who have expressed support for the co-operative, which was awarded funding last year through the Liverpool City Region Future Innovation Fund.

The fund, set up by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, was given to Signalise to develop a Video Relay Service (VRS) – something which the organisation says helped them to win the new contract.

In addition to providing a BSL service for Liverpool’s GPs from 1 September, the agreement with NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) includes an arrangement for NHS services in Merseyside and Cheshire, who will receive the sign language provision “in the coming year”.

NHS Liverpool CCG has been approached by The Limping Chicken for comment.

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

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Update: In a statement, NHS Liverpool CCG board member and GP Dr Monica Khuraijam said: “Since receiving feedback from the Deaf community about difficulties in getting healthcare locally we have worked with service users and NHS partners to try to improve this.

“One part of this was bringing in a new set of standards for our interpreter services based on input from D/deaf people, NHS staff and interpreters themselves.

“The new contract requires more training and support for NHS staff, high qualification standards for interpreters and aims to create as much social value as possible.

“Signalise Co-op put together a strong set of proposals and we look forward to working with them to help make sure D/deaf people get the health care they need more easily.”