Deaf Focus Group - second report
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Healthwatch Sandwell undertook a focus group with the local Deaf Association to find out their experience of health and social care during the Covid-19 pandemic. They spoke to 6 people.
Deaf people felt their experience of health and social care had been exacerbated by the pandemic. Those that were shielding felt isolated and didn’t feel confident about going out. Others felt their mental health had been negatively impacted.
Whilst they appreciated the need to wear face masks to protect themselves and others, face masks interfere with lip reading. Communication is more difficult without BSL interpreters.
They also talked about secondary care being cancelled and being without hearing aids.