Access to Health Services

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Access to Health Services

• Claire Mullan
• Campaigns Coordinator
• RNID

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Background

• 1 in every 7 people has a hearing loss
• 219,000 in NI
• 9 million in the UK
• Every GP practice has an average of almost 500
  deaf and hard of hearing patients

RNID is a membership charity aiming to achieve a
radically better quality of life for deaf and
hard of hearing people through evidence-based
campaigning
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A Simple Cure

• Difficulty communicating with staff

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A Simple Cure
Unclear about condition
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A Simple Cure

• Taken too much/little medication

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The Doctor Will Hear You Now

• Region-wide audit
• Supported by BMA and RCGP
• 440 GP surgeries mailed in NI
• Main questions
• access facilities
• equipment
• procedures
• training
• technology
• DDA
• 42 response rate

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Main Findings

• 60 of Practices have still made no adjustments
  for patients with sensory disabilities under the
  DDA
• 86 do not have a Textphone facility
• 72 do not have a hearing aid loop system in a
  consultation room
• 79 have no procedure for booking communicators
• 39 have had problems communicating with deaf and
  hard of hearing patients.

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How can we contact you?
Simple Cures
Establish and publish email contact details for
patients Publish details of fax contact
facilities
Train staff in how to use the RNID Typetalk
service effectively Publish details of how to
contact out of hours cover
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Procedures
Simple Cures
Record patients communication needs on their
patient record
Establish a process for planning appointments
with deaf and hard of hearing patients Research
and establish a process for securing the services
of necessary communication services professionals
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Equipment in reception/ waiting rooms
Simple Cures
All staff to be trained in deaf awareness Fit
visual displays in waiting rooms to complement
audio calling systems
Fit induction loop systems at reception and in
waiting areas Fit flashing lights to fire and
evacuation alarm points
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Equipment in consultation rooms

• Simple Cures

GPs to undertake training in deaf awareness Fit
loop system in consultation room
Book communication services professionals as
appropriate Install videophone to access instant
BSL interpreter services
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Communication tips

•  
•  

Make sure you have the listener's attention
before you start speaking and remember not to
turn your face away from a deaf person. Speak
clearly but not too slowly, and don't exaggerate
your lip movements. Use natural facial
expressions and gestures. If someone doesn't
understand what you've said, try saying it in a
different way. Avoid jargon and unfamiliar
abbreviations. Check that the person you're
talking to is following you. Be patient and take
the time to communicate properly. Keep a pen and
paper handy in case you need to write anything
down please write clearly and legibly. Keep
details of BSL/ISL /English interpreters handy
ask your local Health and Social Services Board
for details or contact RNID Northern Ireland.
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Take your medicine!