Report of Inequalities for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Communities in Walsall
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Healthwatch Walsall investigated views of health care from deaf and hard of hearing communities. Focus groups were used to collect this feedback.
The findings from this research include that BSL is often the first language and leaflets written in English are not useful. Friends and family often interpret on their behalf which impacts privacy and confidentiality. Good practice in GPs included a communication, information and advice system meeting their needs, and in hospitals a video relay system for BSL interpreters.
A number of recommendations were suggested, including utilising technology for information and communication purposes; to share good practice with other areas that could be replicated in the Borough; and that professionals should not assume that family and friends should/will support service users and efforts to supply a BSL interpreter should be the first and main course of communication.
No service provider response was included.