Health Info

Failing Healthcare Support for Deaf Residents in Salford: A Call for Change

Accessing adequate medical support should be a fundamental right for everyone, regardless of their abilities. Unfortunately, in Salford, a city known for its vibrancy and diversity, the deaf and hard-of-hearing community faces significant challenges when seeking medical assistance. This article delves into the issues highlighted in a recent report by the Salford Deaf Community Gathering (SDCG) and sheds light on the steps needed to rectify the situation.

The Struggles of Deaf Residents

Imagine trying to complete a complex 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle with a blindfold on. This is how some members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community describe their experience when trying to access medical support in Salford. The SDCG’s report paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by these individuals.

Ignoring the Equality Act 2010

One of the most glaring issues raised in the report is the apparent disregard for the Equality Act 2010 by Salford’s general practitioners (GPs) and hospitals. This legislation was designed to ensure that individuals with disabilities, including those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, are protected from discrimination. However, it appears that some medical professionals in the city are not meeting these legal obligations.

Lack of Awareness About British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreters

Another critical aspect highlighted in the report is the lack of awareness among healthcare providers regarding how to access British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters. For many members of the deaf community, BSL interpreters are essential for effective communication with medical practitioners. The absence of such support can lead to misunderstandings and subpar healthcare.

The Role of the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership

The Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership plays a central role in ensuring that sign language and deafblind interpreters are available for primary care appointments upon request. However, the report suggests that this information is not widely disseminated, leaving both patients and service providers unaware of this vital service.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. For individuals with hearing issues, this crisis exacerbated existing problems. The report highlights that a lack of awareness among service providers resulted in unequal access to information and communication for deaf residents during the pandemic.

Concerns About Video Relay Interpreting Services

While video relay interpreting services were introduced to increase capacity, the report cautions against making them the norm. These services are not only three times more costly but also come with limitations, particularly in conveying sign language due to small video frames.

Inaccessible Sexual Health Services

Another pressing issue brought to light in the report is the inaccessibility of Salford’s sexual health services for those with hearing loss. It is essential that healthcare services cater to the needs of all residents, regardless of their hearing abilities. Read Also: Long Covid is Considered a New Form of Disability

The Need for Community Engagement

The report emphasizes the importance of direct engagement between healthcare managers, commissioners, and the deaf community. It suggests that services should be commissioned in consultation with the community to ensure they meet the needs and preferences of the people they serve. Isolation in decision-making can lead to accusations of discrimination.

Commitment to Improvement

Salford’s medical director, Dr. Tom Regan, acknowledges that there is work to be done. He welcomes the report as a valuable tool for understanding the areas in which the city’s health and care services need improvement. Dr. Regan affirms the commitment to ensuring that no one is treated unfairly and strives to make healthcare services more accessible and equitable for all residents.

In conclusion, the report by the Salford Deaf Community Gathering highlights the significant challenges faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing residents when seeking medical support. It serves as a clarion call for Salford’s medical services to uphold the principles of equality and accessibility. Addressing these issues is paramount to ensuring that Salford truly embodies the concept of “true independent living” and provides equal access to healthcare for all its residents.

Proposed Reforms for Disability and Illness Benefits

The government has unveiled plans to provide enhanced support for individuals with disabilities, particularly regarding the option to work from home. Mel Stride, the Work and Pensions Secretary, has presented a series of benefit reforms aimed at assisting people in finding employment while also reducing government expenditures.

Notably, these reforms will not impact individuals nearing the end of their lives or those with severe learning disabilities, a point emphasized during Stride’s address to Parliament. Nevertheless, some charities have expressed concerns that these changes might compel individuals to work even when their health is compromised.

To facilitate these reforms, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has initiated a consultation on proposed modifications to the work capability assessment. This assessment evaluates how a disability or illness may limit an individual’s ability to engage in the workforce effectively.

Key proposals include:

  1. Updating Categories for Mobility and Social Interaction: The reforms seek to modernize the categories associated with mobility and social interaction, aiming for a more accurate representation of an individual’s work capacity.
  2. Acknowledging Flexible and Remote Work: The evolving work landscape, characterized by flexible and remote work options, is also reflected in these proposals. The goal is to minimize potential challenges faced by employees opting for these arrangements.
  3. Tailored Support for Work Preparation: Individuals found capable of work preparation activity will receive personalized support tailored to the proposed changes, ensuring they are well-equipped for suitable employment opportunities.

The consultation process is set to run for eight weeks, with the government hoping to implement the reforms by 2025, following the next general election.

During his address in the House of Commons, Mr. Stride highlighted the significant shift in the world of work over the past few years, which has created new opportunities for individuals with disabilities and health conditions. He noted that the current work capability assessment often fails to consider the potential for individuals with disabilities or health conditions to work from home, even though many successfully do so.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has echoed the sentiment that “work transforms lives,” emphasizing that the proposed changes are designed to ensure that no one is hindered from realizing their full potential through work.

However, disability charities have raised concerns about the potential consequences of these new plans. James Taylor, the executive director of strategy at Scope, a disability equality charity, warned that compelling individuals to seek employment when unwell could exacerbate their health conditions. Additionally, individuals not meeting strict conditions could see their benefits discontinued, which, in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, could be catastrophic.

Jeremy Hunt had previously announced intentions to completely abolish work capability assessments when he unveiled his first spring Budget. The DWP asserts that these latest proposals are part of the groundwork to transition toward a more supportive framework and work incentives as assessments are eventually phased out.

Recent figures indicate that approximately 2.5 million Britons remain excluded from the job market due to various medical conditions. The government has pledged £2 billion in investment to support individuals with long-term illnesses and disabilities in their pursuit of employment, signaling a commitment to fostering inclusivity in the workforce.

Long Covid is Considered a New Form of Disability

A lawyer in the United States considers long Covid to be a new form of disability that has the potential to permanently affect millions of workers. This condition is considered to affect the life of the sufferer after recovering from Covid-19.

Symptoms and timing of the onset of long Covid vary. Long Covid patients are those who still experience Covid-19 symptoms even though they are not infected with the coronavirus. The US Government Accountability Office predicts that the long Covid-19 has affected 7 million to 23 million Americans.

The notion of long Covid as a new form of disability was conveyed by the University of Pennsylvania law professor, Jasmine Harris. Unfortunately, according to him, the medical condition is difficult to accommodate by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

This is because the legal definition of disability or disability is different from the medical definition. Medical professionals continue to study the patient’s condition to determine what long Covid is, with many experts theorizing that it is an umbrella term for a variety of conditions.

If we look at the law, a person with a disability can be defined as someone who has a mental or physical disorder that limits himself to more than one activity. Harris said the serious impact of long Covid was limiting patients.

These medical conditions can affect different individuals to varying degrees. More than 200 long Covid symptoms have been documented, ranging from persistent tiredness, coughing, lack of function of the senses of taste and smell, hallucinations, erectile dysfunction, the inability to record new memories, and feelings of discomfort.

“We need to know more. Whether it substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as thinking, walking, and in some cases, work,” Harris said, quoted from Fortune’s page.

Long Covid is generally an ‘invisible disability, as it does not involve wheelchairs, crutches, or other assistive devices. Such disabilities are not very visible and difficult to document. This condition can be a problem for people who want to apply for jobs, as well as for companies.

Harris gave an example if someone has chronic fatigue due to Covid-19. If these conditions are not communicated to the employer, employees can get into trouble. The solution, employees can ask for flexible working hours, in addition to asking for information from a doctor.

In Harris’ opinion, the emergence of a new form of disability that is widespread is an opportunity for employers to initiate a number of innovations. For example, reviewing the workplace to make it adequate for employees, both in terms of doing business and bringing employees together in the work environment.

He recommends that employers invest a lot of time determining whether an employee qualifies to work from home and whether that time could be better spent. Likewise, how to foster a climate of mutual trust and respect in the company.

Employers can also provide ergonomic work equipment and more flexible working hours to increase morale and productivity for all employees. “The question is, how do entrepreneurs want to allocate time and money going forward?” said Harris.