GP experiences survey

Action on Hearing Loss is surveying the experiences of people who are deaf or have hearing loss when visiting GPs.

The survey is related to NHS England’s Accessible Information Standard, which was recently revised following a review.

Under the Equality Act 2010 (and Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland) people have the right to expect reasonable adjustments to be made if they face substantial difficulties accessing NHS services due to their deafness and hearing loss. For example, some people who are deaf or have hearing loss may find it difficult or impossible to use the telephone and may need to contact their GP in other ways. Others may need a BSL interpreter for their appointment.

Over the past three years, the NHS has introduced new guidance and quality standards across the UK. These should make it easier for people who are deaf or have hearing loss to access healthcare. Action on Hearing Loss wants to know if this has improved.

A spokesman said: “Survey feedback will tell us if access to GPs and hospitals has got better or not. We can then campaign and influence government, GPs and other NHS services across the UK to make sure that sure NHS services are really accessible to people who are deaf or have hearing loss.”

ACCESS TO HEALTH SURVEY