Healthwatch Hartlepool and Hartlepool Deaf Centre Investigation into Deaf Patient Experience of Local G.P and Hospital Services
Download (PDF 420.52 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Hartlepool undertook research with Hartlepool Deaf Centre into deaf patients' experience of accessing and using local GP services. They spoke to 16 people, surveyed local GP practices and visited North Tees and Hartlepool hospitals with managers of various wards and service areas.
People said that they experienced problems booking appointments, missed appointments when GPs and receptionists called their names and experienced problems ordering repeat prescriptions. Most said their GP surgery didn't book a BSL interpreter for them.
GP surgeries felt that they were providing effective services for deaf patients, including offering online booking and checking for BSL interpreters.
Deaf people felt that hospitals rarely booked BSL interpreters for stays or appointments. Some staff seemed to think it was acceptable to use family members to interpret. They had problems knowing when it was their turn to go in for an appointment.
The feedback received from the hospitals indicates that staff were endeavouring to ensure that the care needs of deaf patients are being met.
The report contains 17 recommendations about how care should be improved for deaf people.