Our Aim: A society in which deafblind people have the permanent support and recognition necessary to be equal citizens.
Scottish Charity No. SC 031167
Company Reg. No. 216974
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The difficulties deafblind people living in Tayside face when visiting places like the doctors' surgery or hospital are being addressed with the introduction of a guide/communicator service in medical settings. People who have lost, or are losing, both their sight and hearing, can fail to pick up crucial information about their health because of their dual sensory impairment. From now on, they'll be able to book a Guide/Communicator to accompany them. Guide/Communicators are trained in a range of communication methods and can, for example, interpret English into Hands-on-British Sign Language or deliver Deafblind Manual onto the patient's hand.
NHS Tayside has contracted the service from Deafblind Scotland. From GP surgeries to dental and chiropody appointments, the specialist guiding and communication support will be available in a broad variety of settings. Deafblind Scotland estimates that at least 25 deafblind people could benefit from the service within the first couple of months. Drena O'Malley, our charity's Resources Manager said: "We are delighted that NHS Tayside has taken steps to meet the needs of a very vulnerable group of people. Providing the support to relay the right information in a medical setting could mean the difference between life and death." The health board has also arranged for front line staff, such as receptionists and nurses, to undergo deafblind awareness training to help them identify and communicate with dual sensory impaired people on a basic level."
To take advantage of the free training email
To find our more about the guide/communicator service email
