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Read the Autumn 2009 newsletter

SignHealth is the healthcare charity for deaf people, providing health related services for all deaf people

"Historically, deaf people have had poor access to healthcare.  Quite simply, if there is little or no communication between a patient and a medical practitioner, things will inevitably go wrong."

SignHealth's work covers all health matters facing deaf people.  The charity is lobbying hard to make changes and improvements in the healthcare experience of deaf people.  Through our involvement in the GP Access Programme we have ensured that the needs of Deaf people are recognised by the Department of Health and NHS.

Our award winning application, SignTranslate, can provide online BSL/English interpreting in surgeries for same-day and short-notice appointments.

Established in 1986, the charity began as the only organisation working specifically to provide facilities for profoundly deaf people with mental health problems or additional needs.   Supported living projects were established around the country together with outreach services.  Today, these schemes are well established in their localities and our services have extended to health information, advocacy and counselling.

There is evidence to show that deaf people suffer more ill health than hearing people and encounter communication difficulties in healthcare settings.  The solutions, we believe, are not complex and are not expensive, yet not enough is being done to tackle these problems.

In 2010, SignHealth will lead a major research programme, in partnership with 58 deaf organisations.  Funded by the Big Lottery, the programme will for the first time in this country study the health of deaf people and provide the evidence needed to prove that deaf people's right to good health is not being met.   We are also monitoring the evidence provided by the Department of Health's regular GP Patient Survey and using the information to campaign for improvements.

SignHealth's most recent initiative is to set up a project called DeafHope which will tackle the issue of domestic abuse in the Deaf community.

"We need deaf people to ask for improved communication support, which is their right.  This means using the technology that is available so the deaf patient has equal access.  We urge all health professionals to make sure they are deaf aware in service delivery and commissioning, giving equality of access comparable with other minority groups," SignHealth Chief Executive, Steve Powell

Our fundraising team works hard to generate the income required to support all these initiatives.