Deaf perspective on hospital access: a walk through at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital
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Healthwatch Sandwell wanted to understand people's experience of wayfinding in the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, particularly for vulnerable groups. This report looks at the experience of deaf people. Healthwatch worked together with 5 members of Sandwell Deaf Community Association and a BSL interpreter to test six scenarios and letters supplied by the hospital.
Members of the group recommend that in order for the wayfinder experience to be improved for people who are deaf or who have significant hearing loss, the hospital should make the following improvements:
- Appointment letters for people who are deaf or with significant hearing loss be made available through a texting service for clarification and in case appointments are cancelled or changed to a different date/time.
- Appointment letters highlight information about public transport and timescales to get to appointments in a timely way.
- Clear signage (what local people understand) in the main reception, maternity, and in A&E