Last year the Government launched the Change NHS consultation. They asked people to tell them how healthcare can be improved in the UK.
Today the findings of this consultation have been published. It is called the 10 Year Health Plan.
There are three parts to it:
1. Community
This means there will be more health services located in local neighbourhoods where people need them. The Government say there will be more GPs. People will be able to see GPs more quickly and waiting times for A&E and operations will be reduced.
2. Digital
The NHS will have one “Single Patient Record” for each patient. This means all your health information will be in one place.
Because of the “Single Patient Record”, the Government say that you will not have to tell healthcare staff the same thing again and again – for example, having to tell new staff that you are a deaf BSL user.
There will be more investment in the NHS App, so that all appointments can be booked online and medicines can be ordered online – and the Government say this will be BSL accessible.
3. Prevention
This means the NHS will work with schools, workplaces, businesses and charities to help people stay healthier, for example by raising awareness about the health risks of obesity, alcohol abuse and smoking.
What does this mean for the deaf community?
At SignHealth, we support these measures. We are especially happy that a Single Patient Record will mean deaf patients don’t have to constantly repeat themselves by telling every new healthcare professional that they are deaf. Sadly, this is a very common situation for many deaf people. We are cautiously optimistic but wait to see more detail. We also welcome the promise that the NHS App will be BSL-accessible. This is vital – and we will hold the Government to this promise.
We want all deaf people to be as healthy as possible. But if the Government wants to improve deaf people’s health, they have to ensure information is available in BSL. This includes information about accessing GPs, getting quicker appointments and reducing obesity, alcohol abuse and smoking. We also want the Government to support BSL-users who are not comfortable with using technology, so that not everything is done via the App.
There are some encouraging items in the 10 Year Plan, but the time for writing reports is over. We want to see action. We hope the NHS can deliver this and we want to support them in finally breaking down barriers to good health for deaf people.
The full 10 Year Plan documents are available from the NHS at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/10-year-health-plan-for-england-fit-for-the-future
