Deaf people's poor access to healthcare

These are the stories that make the news. Deaf people experiencing misdiagnosis, delays or traumatic experiences in hospital. Some instances of people dying. These are shocking stories of poor access and care in the NHS.

There are many more untold stories. We want to change that. If you have experienced poor access or treatment, please email us at info@signhealth.org.uk. We will try to support you with contacting journalists and sharing your story so that the NHS must take notice and make the changes we need.

— Click a headline below for the article–

2026

Teen had to tell deaf mum her dad might die

Deaf patients condemn lack of NHS interpreters

Payout over sign language failure for man in care

2025

Deaf people who use BSL face 'entrenched' health and social care exclusion, say government advisers

Lack of BSL interpreters in hospital left mum in the dark about daughter's care

'Lack of interpreters meant I believed I had HIV for two days'

Coroner: NHS interpreter gap fails deaf patients

Toker died after 'failure' by health services

NHS 'routinely failing' deaf patients in England, report finds

Deaf woman did not know she was having test for tumour over communication issues

'National scandal' as more help needed for deaf patients

Lives of deaf patients 'at risk' amid NHS communication barriers, report warns

New report: Deaf people facing 'widespread failings' in NHS Wales due to poor communication

'We regularly fail to meet the mental health needs of Deaf people'

BBC Morning Live

27 March 2025

Yvonne Cobb investigates how communication barriers in healthcare can put deaf people’s lives at risk. Available on BBC iPlayer.

Watch YouTube clip

2024

Kate Boddy: My campaign for Specsavers to provide BSL interpretation - in my late Father's legacy - has been successful (BSL)

Deaf man who pulled cancer tumor out of own throat claims doctors 'dismissed me instead of treating me'

Insight: As a deaf BSL user I didn't understand my permenopause symptoms without access to information (BSL)

Dr Rose Balazs tells us about her accessible sexual health clinic in London - and the importance of accessibility in the NHS (BSL)

Firefighter's new BSL skills help deaf crash victim

NHS England accused of 'dragging its feet' on new accessibility procedures

Ambulance sign language app will help 'save lives'

Deaf man almost has testicle removed after meeting doctors without an interpreter

2023

When my husband died, paramedics couldn't tell me because I'm deaf - my colleague had to break the news

Salford's medical services failing to support deaf residents, group says

2022

Two-thirds of Deaf patients have no accessible way for contacting GP, survey reveals

Government in court for no sign language at Covid briefings

Many NHS Trusts not supporting equal access to care for deaf and blind people

Birmingham NHS trust fined over deaf patient consent failings

2021

The doctors came and I had to tell my father he was dying

2018

2014

Have we missed a health deaf access issue in the news? Let us know, email campaigns@signhealth.org.uk.

Our response to the PHSO’s recent report

SignHealth welcomes a new Ombudsman report exposing the barriers deaf people still face. The evidence is clear: we’re still sick of it.
SignHealth at NHS Confed Expo: Championing Accessible Healthcare

SignHealth engaged with NHS organisations, healthcare providers, businesses, and industry leaders to champion accessible and inclusive services for deaf people.
Maternity and neonatal healthcare investigations

Our Chief Executive, Lucy Warnes was interviewed for the first episode of ‘Open Your Eyes: Maternity in Crisis’, a new investigative journalism series by Lumo TV looking to drive real social change for the deaf community. It aired at 6pm on 15 April 2026 and the focus was on maternal healthcare. Featuring powerful and heartbreaking stories of Lisa, Alije and Honesty, the programme exposes the devastating impact of…