Deaf Patients / BSL Users
In person BSL interpreters booking - www.language-empire.net
Funded by Barnsley CCG/South Yorkshire Integrated System
- Enter Practice Account Number, Username and Password
- Select F2F Non-spoken Booking e.g. BSL interpreter or Lip speaker
- Full user guide here
- Barnsley CCG guidance on working with interpreters in Primary Care
Brief Guide for Clinical staff providing care for Deaf patients in Primary care
The Accessible Information Act
Under the Accessible Information Act all patients with a communication need as a result of a disability, impairment or sensory loss are entitled to access NHS services and adult social care in their preferred communication method. This includes communicating with patients in appointments, making contacting your service accessible and communication from your service e.g. letters.
In Barnsley the South Yorkshire Integrated System has a contract with Language Empire Ltd to provide BSL interpreters and the translation of documents into braille etc, and so accessing these services for your patients will not result in a bill for your practice.
The Accessible Information Standard has five parts,
- Identify - Ask people if they have any information or communication needs, and find out how to meet their needs.
- Record those needs clearly and in a set way.
- Flag - Highlight or flag the person’s file or notes so it is clear that they have information or communication needs and how to meet those needs.
- Share information about people’s information and communication needs with other providers of NHS and adult social care, when they have consent or permission to do so.
- Meet - Take steps to ensure that people receive information which they can access and understand and receive communication support if they need it.
Deaf specialist Services
- SHOUT - text DEAF to 85258 for free and immediate mental health support
- Emergency 999 in calls via the 999 BSL app
- NHS111 accessed in BSL via Signvideo app
- Specialist Domestic Violence Support in BSL provided by SignHealth
- IAPT compliant therapy delivered by therapists fluent in BSL This service is funded by NHS England for Deaf patients and is delivered by SignHealth
Training Opportunities
- Administrative staff - UCL Online Deaf Awareness Course
- Nursing staff - UCL Online Deaf Awareness Course - Accredited by the RCN.
- Medical staff - UCL Online Deaf Awareness for Doctors Accredited by the RCGP
Patient information in British Sign Language
- NHS Inform - videos on a range of topics including vaccinations, health screening and common medical conditions. YouTube also hosts these videos.
- SignHealth - video library covers Mental Health, Domestic violence, First Aid
- Many charities have produced BSL information videos which are available on YouTube, including Macmillian, Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation.
Useful Websites / Information