Members of Tayside’s deaf community will take to the streets this afternoon after claiming that their needs are being ignored by the local health authority.
Tayside Deaf Forum will gather outside Kings Cross Hospital in Dundee protesting that NHS Tayside is failing to organise sign language interpreters for deaf patients attending medical appointments.
As one example, the group claims a deaf patient was in hospital for 12 days and even underwent an operation without an interpreter being provided at any point.
Despite meetings between representatives of NHS Tayside and the group, Tayside Deaf Forum believe that taking their concerns public is the only way to proceed.
Forum chairwoman Elizabeth Adam said: ”It is absolutely shocking that deaf people are expected to go to health appointments and there are no interpreters present.
”British Sign Language is one of the four indigenous languages of the UK, yet far more importance is placed on ensuring interpreters for foreign languages are booked for people who use these languages. It is not fair or just.”
Forum treasurer Pam Bruce added: ”One of our deaf members was in Ninewells last year for 12 days. She asked every day for an interpreter to be provided, including pointing at posters on the wall about interpreters and giving them an interpreter’s direct number.
”She had no idea what was wrong with her or what they were doing to her and they even made her sign a consent form for an operation that she couldn’t read and had no idea what they were operating on her for.
”This was absolutely disgraceful and no hearing person would accept such treatment, so why should a deaf person? Just because we can’t speak doesn’t mean we don’t have a voice or a right to be heard.”
NHS Tayside confirmed further discussions are planned with Tayside Deaf Forum.
A spokesman said: ”NHS Tayside has been in touch with representatives of Tayside Deaf Forum this week and a meeting is being arranged to discuss their concerns.
”Following a meeting with Tayside Deaf Forum in August last year, a number of initiatives have been taken forward.
”More British Sign Language interpreters have been recruited by Dundee Translation and Interpretation Services, with whom we have a service level agreement to provide interpretation services.
”Earlier this month we launched new patient interpretation cards for people who cannot speak or have very little English or have hearing difficulties and we are planning to start electronic notification of appointment bookings with deaf clients from next month.
”We look forward to meeting with Tayside Deaf Forum again to continue to progress initiatives to meet the needs of our deaf patients and clients.”