‘Our voice in Health and Social Care’ British Sign Language users
Healthwatch Lancashire are embarking on the latest project in their annual workplan; ‘Our Voices in Health and Social Care’ British Sign Language users.
This project has been developed in response to feedback that Healthwatch Lancashire have heard about the experiences of British Sign Language (BSL) users and the barriers they face when accessing Health and Social Care services.
Healthwatch Lancashire have collaborated with a range of professionals (including those from the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, County Councillors and Deaf Link Workers) as well as BSL users to design and shape the project.
The project aims to gather feedback from BSL users as well as carers and/or relatives to learn about the barriers faced by the Deaf community and formulate key recommendations which will be presented to NHS leaders and decision-makers to help influence and improve services. The views of professionals working within Health and Social Care will also be investigated to explore whether organisations are accessible to the Deaf community and what arrangements they have in place.
How can I share my views?
BSL users
There will be opportunity to join one of three focus groups to speak about your experiences of accessing health and social care services. Interpretators will be in attendance and carers/relatives are welcome to come along with you.
The events are:
Lancaster Deaf Club
Tuesday 7th November 2023 – Cable Street, Lancaster, LA1
Preston Deaf Club
Friday 24th November 2023 – St Gerards, 17a Brownedge Rd, Lostock Hall, Preston PR5 5AA
Lancashire BSL Forum
Wednesday 29th November – Preston County Hall, Preston, PR1 8RL
Burnley BSL Coffee morning
Saturday 13th January – Central Methodist Church, Hargreaves Street, Burnley, BB11 1DU
Carers/relatives
Carers and/or relatives are welcome to attend the in-person focus groups listed above. However, if you would prefer to complete the online survey, you can do so here
Professionals
Healthwatch Lancashire are also gathering views from professionals working within Health and Social Care to gather feedback about the accessibility of services in Lancashire. If you are a professional in a health or social care setting, you can have your say here
Thank you to everyone who has shared their feedback so far. Healthwatch Lancashire are priviliged to be doing this piece of work and helping to improve accessibility to services for the Deaf community.
If you would like to share your feedback another way, you can contact us directly:
Email: info@healthwatchlancashire.co.uk
Phone: 01524 239100