NHS STP CCG change
In an announcement taking place during national Deaf Awareness Week, accessibility consultancy Direct Access has secured a four-year NHS Shared Business Services framework contract to supply sign language interpreters for deaf and hard of hearing patients.

The new framework provides vital communication services for NHS hospitals, medical clinics, GP and dental practices for both in and out patients across nine NHS regions. Direct Access won the opportunity to supply in eight regions, including all of Scotland and Wales.

Established in 2004, Direct Access advises organisations on physical access to premises. At the height of the COVID pandemic Direct Access became a crucial supplier of a clear vision panel device for deaf and hard of hearing people to lipread the wearer.

Director Steven Mifsud, who is also profoundly deaf, said: “As lockdown restrictions ease and hospital appointments resume, providing sign language interpreters to enable deaf and hard-of-hearing people to communicate with medical professionals became the next logical step from supplying masks.

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“We will be providing NRCPD registered sign language interpreters from Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands for both routine and emergency medical appointments.

“Direct Access is deaf-owned and deaf-run providing an inherent understanding of the barriers that deaf and hard of hearing people face.

“I am delighted our team will be addressing these barriers to ensure equitable access to healthcare for deaf people.”

The regions Direct Access are delivering sign language services include: North West, North East & Yorkshire, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, South Central & South East Coast, South West, Scotland and Wales.

Most recently, the firm launched an evacuation chair range which it claims is the first time that chairs have been developed with a disabled evacuee in mind. The chairs were designed in easily identifiable orange and black colours which is particularly valuable for neurodiverse people who identify orange with the life jackets seen on ships.

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