The Care Quality Commission has encouraged care home residents who are deaf or hard of hearing to share their healthcare experiences.

The CQC is conducting ‘pioneering work’ with Deafway, a charity that provides care and employs deaf or hard of hearing staff at services like Brockholes Brow in Preston.

A local CQC inspector prioritised the use of British Sign Language (BSL) following the publication of the latest inspection report.

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It was part of a CQC campaign to communicate more effectively with BSL users and make it easier for people to give feedback on services, including GPs, dentists and hospitals.

Lancashire-based adult social care inspector Naison Chaparadzasaid said: “The regulation of health and social care isn’t in BSL, but we expect people to follow it.

“Bryony is an expert and, with a background as a social worker for people who are deaf, she could bring real insight to the service.”

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Naison recognised the importance of accessible and inclusive communication for the millions of deaf people in the UK and brought in a colleague, Bryony Kent, who has a background in social work and is confident communicating in BSL.

People shared their thoughts with Bryony about the standards of care they received and issues they wanted to raise.

After a recent inspection, she commissioned a video in BSL through the accessible communications team for residents to watch, so they could clearly understand the purpose and findings.

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The work at Brockholes Brow supports the CQC’s aims to make their work more inclusive and accessible, and it has teamed up with Disability Rights UK to help BSL users share feedback on the care they receive.

The feedback is essential for ensuring people can access safe and effective care.

CQC has launched two new services to help those who are deaf or hard of hearing provide feedback and is keen to hear from as many people as possible to inform their work and drive improvement.

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SignLive offers people access to an interpreter so they can communicate in BSL.

It can be used on a smartphone, tablet or computer.

People can also get in touch using the Relay UK app to communicate by text.  

For more information, visit – https://www.cqc.org.uk/contact-us/

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