Response to Shaping the Future of Care Together

SignHealth's initial response to the Government's Green Paper can be seen here. A more detailed response will be published soon. People wanting to protect Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance, may be interested in an online petition. 

Wales

Deaf people in Wales can stop worrying about their health services. They may feel as if they are marginalised and denied access. But that is set to change. The Assembly has established a Sensory Impairment in Healthcare Steering Group, and officials will help the RNID hold a workshop... in six months' time. This is the laughable view of the Welsh Health Minister.

SignHealth's Steve Powell has been putting pressure on Edwina Hart, the Welsh Health Minister, to provide services for Deaf people with mental health problems in Wales. The minister's letters have failed to impress. At first the minister said deaf people should “receive the best quality mental health services possible.” But, there was little in the way of action. The minister said that service providers were responsible for making sure services were equitable (not my problem).

Steve Powell wrote back and said the response was “totally inadequate”. He pointed out that people from the Welsh health service, social care and the voluntary sector had spent two years preparing a report on mental health services for Deaf people. The modest proposals were rejected by the minister's predecessor.

Edwina Hart's next response included some promise of action. While this appears like progress, Steve Powell is unconvinced. Commenting on Hart's response, he said:

“Deaf people in Wales are suffering every day because the minister will not act. A group of respected people and organisations has – at the invitation of the Welsh Assembly – already looked at the issue of mental health services for Deaf people. While that work has been put in the bin, we now get another committee and a workshop. The time for talking is over. Deaf people in Wales are well aware of the problems and already know the solutions.

“There seems to be no acknowledgement that Deaf people get missed by mainstream health providers. We need a joined-up solution where providers work together to support Deaf people. This requires national leadership and direction. The minister seems happy to establish an eating disorders service within Wales, but less keen to take any responsibility for a group that is less well served.”

The most recent correspondence can be seen here.

Background

There are no mental health services for Deaf people in Wales. When people in Wales are very unwell they have difficulty accessing the specialist hospitals in England. This situation is outrageous.

SignHealth, along with other organisations in Wales, was asked to produce a report for the Welsh Health Minister. This report examined the problems faced by Deaf people experiencing mental distress in Wales. It also made recommendations which would lead to the creation of a basic mental health service appropriate for Deaf people.

One recommendation was for three Community Psychiatric Nurses to be appointed, with support from a BSL interpreter, psychologists and consultants. These CPNs could have provided a great deal of support – just as they often do for hearing people. This recommendation would only have cost approximately £300,000 for the whole of Wales.

Unfortunately, the Welsh Minister rejected the report and dismissed the recommendations. That means Deaf people in Wales who are experiencing mental health problems have to battle to access a service – precisely what someone with a mental health problem is unlikely to do. Not getting access to a service means that the distress is likely to get worse and be more difficult to support in the future (and more costly).

SignHealth is now working with a Local Health Board and social workers in Wales to try and establish a service in part of Wales. This is not ideal as it means services will vary depending on where you live. But, it will at least give some people in Wales a better service than they now get.

If you want to know more about SignHealth’s work in Wales then e-mail

 

Mental Health Act Code of Practice

The Code of Practice gives guidance on how the Mental Health Act should be used. It is a very important when people are experiencing mental distress. The Code is being re-written. We have submitted recommendations which will make sure the needs of Deaf people are safeguarded in the Code. This means, for example, including access to an interpreter. It may also mean that clinicians have to seek expert assistance.

You can download SignHealth's response here.