Deaf and hard of hearing community engagement
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Healthwatch Newham wanted to understand the experience of deaf and hard of hearing people when accessing and using health and care services.
A key barrier to services is the need to have a BSL interpreter at appointments. They have to be booked two weeks in advance and are often not available after 5pm.
Appointment booking systems frequently lack an option to request an interpreter. The NHS App presents challenges due to digital skills levels.
Patients are left to advocate for themselves. Deaf people wanted the same level of access as hearing people.