GPs in Haringey have attracted criticism after telling deaf patients they must pay for their own sign language interpreters at consultations. The commissioning cluster for north central London said it received multiple complaints about “the refusal of GP practices to provide sign language interpreters”.
A report to the cluster’s board said: “Patients alleged that they had been informed that they would need to fund the interpreters themselves. Following investigation, it was established that interpreting had been decommissioned in the borough of Haringey.”
The cluster said “urgent” steps were being taken to re-commission the service to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.
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I assuming that UK adopted the Act which is still young to people in that country
ReplyDeleteIt seems like UK is sorely behind in access for deaf/hh. In USA, many insurance plans will cover interpreters although I never use them in the doctors office.
ReplyDeleteUK laws are based on 'reasonable' access, but this health area is blatantly in violation of that rule. It's been an long debate from my blog, as I have opposed deaf access which has been based on choice. My belief is deaf are their own worst enemy in that they still insist on family and friends being allowed to interpret for them.
ReplyDeleteI say no. Unless deaf create demand we will find as we did here the system exploiting that to avoid paying for that support. "Bring an family member with you to help " is all too common a theme and a game deaf are still playing to their detriment. It is obvious deaf are still doing this.
The law here is actually quite clear, they MUST provide the interpreter. So this health area has broken the DDA here. I still wish deaf would not be so silly as to assist them. Take family for support, but NOT as bona-fide terps, especially as most do NOT have any qualification.
Deaf are STILL not listening !