We met your MPs!

Four deaf charities worked together to co-host an event in Parliament to share the wide range of issues impacting the deaf community.

The drop-in event for MPs on 10 December was hosted by Catherine Atkinson MP on behalf of the British Deaf Association (BDA), the National Deaf Children’s Society, RNID and the deaf health charity SignHealth.

Lucy Warnes from SignHealth signed; “We are so proud to be co-hosting this event for the deaf community in parliament. It was fantastic to have meaningful conversations with MPs about the issues that impact our health and wellbeing.

We are hopeful to be able to work with MPs to see real change implemented in the NHS. No more barriers, no more excuses.”

In 2021 more than half of deaf people in England did not even have an accessible method for contacting their GPs – despite this being a legal right. The continued reliance on phone systems means that many deaf people struggle to make an appointment, and unfortunately that is only the first of many barriers within the NHS.

Working together

Together with the BDA, National Deaf Children’s Society and RNID we could have more of an impact. It was the first time the UK’s four leading deaf charities have hosted a joint event in Parliament.

Speech by Catherine Atkinson MP on 10 December

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