Rotherham Deaf Futures Community Group: Their experiences voiced
Download (PDF 322.32 KB)Summary of report content
On Friday 7th July at Springwell Gardens Community Centre in Rotherham, Healthwatch Rotherham attended an engagement session with Rotherham deaf futures community group. The purpose of this session was to understand and learn about their experiences with health and social care in Rotherham. Around 25 people attended.
The main issue is a lack of BSL face to face interpreters for the deaf community in Rotherham. This is not just limited to one service, but is highlighted throughout multiple services in Rotherham including GP’s, hospital and opticians. Having a lack of good quality, face to face interpreters leaves patients feeling scared and frustrated at not being able to communicate with staff regarding their problems and how they are feeling.
Other key points:
- Video interpreters are not an acceptable alternative to face to face BSL interpreters
- Patients are not informed whether an interpreter will be available for their appointment
- Patients not having 24/7 access to Level 3 BLS interpreters, particularly in A&E
- Interpreters travel from other areas of Yorkshire to Rotherham which can sometimes take hours. South Yorkshire BSL interpreters are not utilised locally
- GP appointments are often delayed due to a lack of interpreter, or GP’s do not arrange for an interpreter for the patient.
- Attendees have to travel to Sheffield to attend optician appointments, due to Rotherham Opticians not providing suitable interpreters to allow the appointment to go ahead.
The report contains four recommendations.