Peterborough MP lobbies health chiefs over GP struggles for deaf patients

Mr Bristow is appealing for the CCG - which commissions local health services - to work with GPs to ensure they meet their responsibilities after he met with a group of deaf people last month who told of their experiences.

Vladimirs Krumin’s story in particular grabbed the MP’s attention after he explained how he was told to go find another GP because he wanted to use an interpreter.

Mr Bristow wrote: “Recently I met with deaf people from Peterborough at an event organised by the Cambridgeshire Deaf Association. They raised the issue of communication difficulties at GP appointments.

“During the meeting one man told me he was advised to use another GP surgery rather than the surgery itself provide a sign language interpreter or other appropriate assistance.

“The Equality Act 2010 and the NHS Accessible Information Standard (2016) make it clear that the communication needs of deaf people should be met. The Cambridgeshire Deaf Association has been working with patients across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to help ensure they can express themselves clearly and understand the information given to them by their doctor.

“A British Sign Language interpreter, speech to text technology, or lip speakers can be used depending on the preferences and individual needs of the patient.

“In 2014 the national charity Sign Health’s report entitled ‘Sick Of it’ found deaf people are twice as likely to have high blood pressure and four times more likely to suffer from diabetes despite having similar lifestyles to that of the general population. This is because deaf people do not have the same access to primary care and are reluctant to see their doctor because of communication difficulties.

“Communication barriers lead to missed diagnoses and poorer treatment which can have severe knock-on effects. These barriers can be easily overcome.

“After learning of local deaf people’s experiences, I committed to write to you on their behalf. I would be very grateful if you could work with GP surgeries in Peterborough to ensure that doctors can communicate with their deaf patients.

“The Cambridgeshire Deaf Association have told me that they are ready to support you with advice or information if needed and can also provide staff training. I look forward to your response.”

Chief executive of Cambridgeshire Deaf Association Andrew Palmer said: “We welcome Mr Bristow’s intervention in this matter. There are still serious problems for deaf people accessing healthcare and the knock-on effects of that can be catastrophic.

“There has certainly been progress recently but a bit more could be done and we can consign deaf people alienation from healthcare a thing of the past.

“We’ve been working with Hinchingbrooke and Peterborough hospitals to introduce live video interpreting in emergency situations so progress can be made. There really isn’t any reason these days for a deaf person not to be able to communicate with their GP. We’re ready to support any GP surgery in the city to help make their service more accessible.”