Navigating Change: Enhancing Communication for the Deaf Community in Health Organisations

Change is never easy, especially in healthcare settings where the stakes are high. However, ensuring clear communication with the Deaf community is not just a best practice; it’s essential for safety and quality care. In this post, we’ll explore how health organisations can implement systems for providing BSL interpreters and training staff effectively, ensuring everyone can communicate safely and clearly.

Communication barriers can lead to serious consequences for both patients and staff. When misunderstandings occur, they can compromise patient safety and expose healthcare providers to litigation. By prioritising access to BSL interpreters and ensuring staff understand their responsibilities, we can mitigate these risks and create a safer environment for everyone.

Implementing BSL Interpreter Services

1. Assess Current Needs: Start by ensuring that patients communication needs are clearly stated on their records and staff are aware that they must act on this information.

2. Develop a Clear Policy: Create guidelines outlining when and how to access interpreter services. Ensure this policy is easily accessible to all staff.

3. Collaborate with Local Services: Build relationships with local BSL interpreter services to ensure availability and reliability. Ensure that only qualified interpreters are used.

4. Monitoring of the interpreter provision: Ensure internal systems are in place for monitoring the provision of interpreters, including when interpreters are not provided and appointments are cancelled or go ahead at risk.

Training staff in a busy health setting can be daunting, but it’s crucial for effective communication. Here are some strategies:

1. Integrated Training Programs: Incorporate training on Deaf awareness and communication strategies into existing staff development programs. Make it a part of onboarding for new hires.

2. Regular Refreshers: Skills can fade over time, so offer regular refresher courses. Keep the training sessions light and interactive to maintain interest.

3. Bitesize & need to know : provide training as bitesize online resources that staff can access as and when, to fit in with their workload. Training should be targeted and relevant to address what staff need to know.

Creating a culture that values clear communication goes beyond policies and training. Encourage an environment where staff feel empowered to ask questions and seek help when they’re unsure about communication needs. Celebrate successes and share stories about positive interactions with Deaf patients to reinforce the importance of these efforts. Ensure that staff know they are supported by providing, and encouraging, the use of a clear process to escalate any issues or concerns around the interpreter provision.

Managing change in health organisations requires commitment, but the benefits are undeniable. By ensuring access to BSL interpreters and equipping staff with the right training, not only protects patients but also safeguards professionals.

We would welcome the opportunity to work with health providers to champion this change in your organisation and create a healthcare environment that truly supports the Deaf community.