HEALTHCARE access for deaf people in south Warwickshire is set to improve.
South Warwickshire Foundation Trust – which runs Warwick, Leamington, Stratford and Shipston hospitals – has signed the British Sign Language (BSL) Charter.
The charter aims to remove discrimination, empower deaf communities and resolve conflicts between service providers and deaf people.
It includes five pledges – consult regularly with the local deaf community, ensure staff working with deaf people can use sign language, ensure access to services, support deaf children and families and promote learning of British sign language.
Director of nursing Helen Lancaster said: “I am delighted to be making a public commitment on behalf of the trust to be improving our services using the charter.
“BSL is a vibrant, full and living language, which is central for deaf people and their personal identity and we are looking forward to working very closely with the local deaf community.”
