To ask the Minister of Health to detail the training Health and Social Care staff receive in relation to booking emergency sign language interpreting services.

The Regional Communication Support Service (RCSS) was introduced on 1st April 2023. The service is provided by Sign Language Interactions (SLI) by Sorenson is for people who are Deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing, who will need an interpreter when they are accessing Health and Social Care services across Northern Ireland.

Initial training on the RCSS was delivered to HSC staff by SLI. This was offered across all HCS Trusts and accessing interpreters in an emergency was covered as part of the training. SLI are currently developing podcasts which will include how to book interpreters.

The Health and Social Care trusts are committed to delivering services that are accessible to people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Trusts provide a variety of ways that HSC staff are trained in relation to booking sign language interpreting services, which includes emergency situations, and comprises some of the following:

staff mandatory regional training, for example, “Equality, Good Relations and Human Rights”; “Making a Difference eLearning” and “Working well with Interpreters” training sessions.

HSC staff access to internal staff intranets of which there are interpreting and translation sections; regular updates to booking sign language interpreters; newsletters.

promotional material, such as deaf awareness posters / leaflets / desktop messages / screensavers / how to book a sign language interpreter which includes a QR code.

supports / guidance for HSC staff to communicate more effectively, for example “Making Communication Accessible”.

dedicated trust sensory support teams which provide training and support at a multi-agency level throughout the year; to develop the knowledge of our service and to encourage and provide direction on the use of SL interpreters and sign video.

dedicated equality units.

deaf awareness training delivered by British Deaf Association (BDA).

“Listening Workshop” with the deaf community and trust staff.

“Working well with Interpreters” training sessions which includes information on how to book interpreters.

toolkits for staff

JAM (Just A Minute) card, providing support to those with communication difficulties.

HSC Disability Action Plan 2024 – 2029

HSC trusts in Northern Ireland worked collaboratively on the development of their new five-year “Disability Action Plan and Equality Action Plan (2024-2029)”. The plans outline actions and initiatives to address section 75 inequalities, improve equality of opportunity, promote positive attitudes for disabled people and improve their participation in public life.

A specific action is included in the 2024 – 2029 plan in relation to deaf and hard of hearing service users. This commits all trusts to continue the roll out of the health and social care RCSS for People who are Deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing.