The Equality Act 2010 gives you the right to reasonable adjustments. this means you have a right to a BSL interpreter. The local Care Board carried out a review (the Denny Review) on access to healthcare. You can watch the video below that explains the research:
The NHS use the Equality Act and the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) to meet your communication needs:
Communication Needs Letter:
You can inform NHS services of your communication needs. Sign Health have a template letter you can send to your GP, dentist or hospital:
Click on the link below to access the communication needs letter:
If an interpreter, lip speaker or Hands-on BSL interpreter is not provided, you can make a complaint. The video explains how to make a complaint:
Hospital complaint – MK Hospital:
Make your complaint to PALS: You must fill in Consent Form on PALS website: https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/tell-us-about-your-care/pals. Then email the form to PALS.
Email to: PALS@mkuh.nhs.uk
GP, Dentist Optician Complaint:
If you need to complain about a problem at GP, Dentist or optician, you need to contact them direct. If you are still not happy, you contact the Care Board to make your complaint.
NHS Care Board for MK, Bedford and Luton:
E-mail: blmkicb.contactus@nhs.net
MK Deaf Zone is aware that the complaint system is not accessible. You can contact MK Sensory Service for help to make a complaint.
You can also contact us and we will support you to get the help you need.
Healthcare Service Providers
Do you have an NHS contract to provide healthcare? Then you will need to follow the Accessible Information Standard and provide your service in a language your patient understands. If you have a Deaf patient, that means providing a sign language interpreter, lip speaker or another Language Service Professional so your patient understands the care you give them.
The cost of interpreters is covered by the Integrated Care Board who have contracts with interpreting agencies.
If you need to understand the requirements under A.I.S, you can access free NHS training:
For ease, there is a summary in the image below that outlines how you need to meet patient communication needs under AIS:
If you are not sure what type of communication professional your patient needs or how to find the correct communication professional, please get in touch via our contact page.