NHS Norfolk and Waveney met with members of the Deaf community who use British Sign Language (BSL) to communicate, and their support network, Deaf Connexions.

The feedback we received highlighted the challenges faced by people who use BSL to communicate and their families and carers when accessing healthcare.

Using this patient experience information, the ICB pulled together an information sheet with a summary of the challenges reported and some suggested actions and considerations for health and care providers across Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System to take into account.

The aim of this communication is to help improve both accessibility of care and quality of experience for BSL patients, their families and carers. The suggestions made in this document aimed to assist providers in meeting their Accessible Information Standards (AIS) obligations towards BSL patients.