Deaf community slams health board amid “farce” claims

NHS Tayside has been accused of presiding over a “farce” by frustrated members of Dundee’s deaf community.

The health board arranged a recent consultation process to determine the next provider of interpreting services in the region.

Deaf people and interpreters were critical of the previous booking system used to order British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters for appointments.

Through complications and restrictions with the system, it was claimed people reliant on interpreter services regularly turned up for vital medical appointments to find no interpreter present.

The system was branded “unworkable and unsustainable” by interpreters.

In a letter drafted by representatives of Tayside Deaf Forum and sent to the health board and health secretary Shona Robison, members have questioned the latest consultation process and accused NHS Tayside of leaving deaf people in the dark.

One figure branded NHS Tayside’s handling of the situation “a farce”.

A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “The letter from the Tayside Deaf Hub to NHS Tayside chairman Professor John Connell has been received and a response will be sent in due course.

“NHS Tayside is committed to the obligations and responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010, part of which is to ensure that we provide an interpretation service for patients where English isn’t their first language.

“This includes British Sign Language.

“We are still in the process of reviewing the interpretation and translation services.”