Free Service Improves GP Access For Deaf Patients, UK

Main Category: Hearing / Deafness
Also Included In: Ear, Nose and Throat;  IT / Internet / E-mail;  Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 05 Aug 2008 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Deaf patients are now able to enjoy better access to GP services thanks to a new partnership between SignHealth - the healthcare charity for Deaf people - and EMIS, the UK's leading provider of GP systems.

The charity's web-based SignTranslate communication program for Deaf people is being made available free of charge to all GP practices in England until 31st July 2009 - underpinned by one year of funding from SignHealth.

For the 5,000 plus surgeries that use the EMIS clinical system, access to SignTranslate will be instant via an embedded link from the EMIS desktop. Non-EMIS practices can access the service by logging on to the SignTranslate website.

. The program translates over 300 medical questions into British Sign Language (BSL) using short video clips - offering a quick and easy way to improve communication during a GP consultation.

In addition to the translation of the pre-defined questions, the SignTranslate program also enables on-line access to "live" fully qualified BSL interpreters for a small fee. Via a web-cam, a Deaf patient can enjoy a fully interactive discussion with their doctor through the interpreter.*

Steve Powell, Chief Executive of SignHealth, said: "With only about 400 fully qualified interpreters in England to support approximately 70,000 Deaf people who use BSL as their first language, it can be a real challenge arranging a supported doctor's appointment. By funding SignTranslate to be free for every GP in England, we hope that every Deaf person will be able to see their doctor when necessary."

As well as BSL, SignTranslate gives spoken and written translations into 12 foreign languages. It is the only internet based translation tool of its kind in the UK.

*Note: the 'live' online interpreter service is not part of the one-year free offer and is charged at a rate of £2.50 a minute.

1. To see a demonstration of SignTranslate visit http://www.signhealth.net/login2.asp If you would like a DVD copy of SignTranslate in action, please contact one of the above.

2. Please note; it is the convention adopted within the Deaf community of using an upper case D when referring to those who identify themselves culturally and linguistically as members of the Deaf community. Typically they are pre lingually deaf and use British Sign Language (BSL) as their first language

3. SignHealth is the only UK charity focussed on improving the mental and physical health of Deaf people. SignHealth already has a track record of delivering change in care and treatment and in providing supported living, advocacy, outreach, counselling and health promotion, all within a BSL supported environment. Projects are located in London, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham. SignHealth also works with service providers to improve health services for Deaf people and with other health and Deaf charities to provide health information and education. Pending a funding application to the Big Lottery, SignHealth, in partnership with Deaf organisations across the UK, will launch the largest survey of the health of Deaf people in the UK later this year. http://www.signhealth.org.uk

4. SignTranslate is wholly owned by SignHealth, the healthcare charity for Deaf people. SignTranslate provides unique web-based translation programmes for use with Deaf and hard of hearing people and those with limited English. SignTranslate also offers on-line interpreting for Deaf people via a simple web-cam. All interpreters are fully qualified and registered and follow a strict code of practice. Unlike other on-line interpreting service providers, SignTranslate does not require the purchase of specialist software. Just a PC with a broadband connection and a simple web-cam is all that's needed. The product is already being used in a small number of GP practices and PCTs in England. SignTranslate is working to ensure that all paying customers also receive the benefit of the one-year free trial.

5. EMIS is the UK's leading supplier of IT systems to GPs, providing the software that holds the medical records for 39 million NHS patients nationwide. Around 56 per cent of GPs in the UK currently use EMIS software. http://www.emis-online.com. A link to the SignTranslate website has been embedded in the EMIS LV system and SignTranslate will soon be available for EMIS PCS systems.

SignTranslate