Features: Hearing the needs of deaf patients
25 May 2009
The Chief Executive of the RNID considers how doctors can ensure that they communicate effectively with deaf and hard of hearing patients.
Jackie Ballard, Chief Executive of the RNID
'Effective communication is central to the provision of a safe health service for everyone, including deaf people.
As well as doctors' professional duties to provide a good standard of care to their patients, the Disability Equality Duty means that PCTs and NHS Trusts must make sure that communication support is available to those who need it.
Over half of people aged over 60 are either deaf or hard of hearing. The majority of this group have age-related hearing loss. They may rely on their hearing aid and/or lip reading. They may also benefit from other types of communication support, for instance a speech-to-text reporter or a lipspeaker.
It is essential that health services provide well-maintained induction loops and that all staff know how to use them.
Trained staff
In addition, it is important that staff are trained in deaf awareness, for example, making sure they have the person's attention before they start speaking, that they are facing them, speaking clearly, and keeping their voice at a normal level and using plain language.
It is also important to find a suitable place to talk, with good lighting and away from noise and distractions.
For deaf people, usually but not always deaf from birth, who use British Sign Language (BSL), a consultation with their doctor is almost always in their second language.
It is not appropriate or safe to conduct medical consultations with sign language users using pen and paper. One solution is to communicate through a BSL-English interpreter.
BSL-English interpreters are professionals who have undergone training and assessment in both BSL and English.
They are registered with a professional body and have to comply with a code of ethics that includes confidentiality.
Web-based programme
Doctors can also use Sign Translate, a web-based communication program for deaf people available to all GPs. This is currently free of charge for GPs in England.
Although not a replacement for interpreters, this is useful for when a deaf patient needs to see a doctor quickly and a face-to-face interpreter is not available.
It is important not to assume that all deaf people have the same needs and it is always best to ask a patient what help they require with communication.
Some will be happy to have a friend or relative to help out, but many will naturally want to consult their doctor confidentially.'
For more information, visit www.rnid.org.uk or www.signtranslate.com.