Barriers to care - Listening to d/Deaf Rochdale residents: Phase 2

Healthwatch Rochdale undertook a second focus group with d/Deaf people in April 2025 as little had happened since the previous meeting.

The insights gathered through this engagement with d/Deaf residents and interpreters across Rochdale starkly highlight the persistent and systemic barriers faced by the d/Deaf community when accessing healthcare services. From emergency care and hospital procedures to routine dental visits, the accounts presented show a pattern of unmet needs, miscommunication, and a lack of reasonable adjustments—despite the legal obligations outlined in the Equality Act 2010. 

Recurring issues such as the misuse of the “two-week rule,” insufficient or incorrect interpreter bookings, and lack of training not only compromise patient safety but also deeply impact the dignity and autonomy of d/Deaf individuals. The inconsistency of interpreter availability during critical procedures and the reliance on family members for interpretation expose clear safeguarding and clinical governance failures. 

It is evident from these discussions that a coordinated and informed approach is needed. This must include comprehensive staff training on d/Deaf awareness, systemwide reforms to interpreter booking procedures, investment in accessible technology, and a firm commitment from all health and care providers to uphold the legal and ethical standards of inclusive care, particularly in dentistry. 

By listening to lived experiences and taking tangible action, health and care providers in Rochdale and beyond can move closer to a truly equitable system—one in which the rights, needs, and voices of d/Deaf individuals are not only acknowledged but fully respected.