GP access for the deaf boosted by UK Charity
Unless a competent or qualified translator has been available, until now, being able to see a GP has been somewhat of an ordeal for many deaf people and all but impossible for some. The problem is that there are only around 400 fully qualified interpreters of British Sign Language (BSL) in England to deal with the needs of approximately 70,000 registered deaf people whose primary language of communication is BSL. Often, family members fulfil the role of interpreter when a qualified person is not easily available; however, this is often disruptive for the accompanying relative.
Now though, the British charity SignHealth, whose aim is to ensure the physical and mental health of deaf people, is making an internet based communication program for the deaf available free of charge to all GP practices for a one year period.
The program, called SignTranslate, can be accessed by GP’s by simply logging onto its website, however, the process is even easier for GP’s already using the bespoke GP system EMIS; there is an embedded link within the system’s Desktop.
The SignTranslate system will assist communication via a series of over 300 of the most common medical questions that will be translated into BSL via a series of video sequences. For enquiries of a more serious or complex nature that cannot be covered by the standard video sequences, a live webcam session with a fully qualified BSL translator will be available; in this case though, a charge of £2.50 per minute will be levied. The system will also make available both spoken and written translations in 12 other languages.
SignHealth hope that by funding access to SignTranslate for a year, they will ensure that all deaf people can see a GP whenever they wish with the full confidence that they will be able to communicate fully and effectively.