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Erk! Apparently many A&E departments are requiring people to go via 111 first.
This is a MAJOR barrier for deaf & some other people.
"Relay UK" (TypeTalk) doesn't prioritise 111 like 999, so it's treated like a regular call. Deaf people report a lot of call issues. /1 https://twitter.com/DrNeenaJha/status/1335262616571277313
This is a MAJOR barrier for deaf & some other people.
"Relay UK" (TypeTalk) doesn't prioritise 111 like 999, so it's treated like a regular call. Deaf people report a lot of call issues. /1 https://twitter.com/DrNeenaJha/status/1335262616571277313
On a non-999 call, you can have to wait ages for connection, lose your operator, have your call disconnected in a weird state and I think on 999 (18000) you are guaranteed a competent not trainee operator too.
That's before I raise issues of accuracy/coherency of relaying. /2
That's before I raise issues of accuracy/coherency of relaying. /2
I REFUSE to use text-relay for medical calls after BAD experiences. Especially not 111 style, multiple 'specifically worded questions'.
Relay ops need speakers to slow down & repeat A LOT. Ops only have to have 40-60wpm typing speed, at best 100, slow speech speed is 150+. /3
Relay ops need speakers to slow down & repeat A LOT. Ops only have to have 40-60wpm typing speed, at best 100, slow speech speed is 150+. /3
A text-relay call can take 3 to 6 times longer than a regular voice call which is EXHAUSTING. I usually end up having panic attacks during text-relay calls cos I have to manage the call to minimise garbling & can't disengage.
I can't do relay calls at all when I'm unwell. /4
I can't do relay calls at all when I'm unwell. /4
For those of us who can understand British Sign Language, there is the fab @Interpreter_Now service at https://interpreternow.co.uk/nhs111 .
If you can't produce BSL you can voice your part and tell their interpreter your needs e.g. SSE, sign slowly etc. /5
If you can't produce BSL you can voice your part and tell their interpreter your needs e.g. SSE, sign slowly etc. /5
If the 111 was an extra, that would be fine, but making it more mandatory and risking patients being turned away at some A&E depts is very worrying.
And that's before the quality concerns also raised in the BMJ blogpost https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/12/04/hello-nhs-111-this-is-an-emergency/ by the OP @DrNeenaJha. /6
And that's before the quality concerns also raised in the BMJ blogpost https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/12/04/hello-nhs-111-this-is-an-emergency/ by the OP @DrNeenaJha. /6
I would love to see the Equality Impact Assessment of that decision.
I had to go to A&E in Oct, 8 days after a traumatic experience around communication. If I had been told 'have to phone' or turned away; I am not sure, despite my medical knowledge if I'd have managed. /7
I had to go to A&E in Oct, 8 days after a traumatic experience around communication. If I had been told 'have to phone' or turned away; I am not sure, despite my medical knowledge if I'd have managed. /7
Because when entities say "you have to phone", they're telling me "you're not welcome" and warning me that structurally they're not safe for a deaf person and my communication needs. Which is a barrier as well as a disservice to many frontline staff who are brilliant. /8
My local hospital's A&E webpage doesn't say anything about phoning in advance, but they do have an adjoined minors unit (which is where I think I got sent in Oct).
I'm going to email and find out more & feedback. I encourage others to prepare and do the same. /end
I'm going to email and find out more & feedback. I encourage others to prepare and do the same. /end
