Midwives trained in sign language

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The Press Association: Midwives trained in sign language

A university has become the first to train midwives in sign language so they can better support deaf women in labour.

Students at De Montfort University (DMU), Leicester, are being taught basic sign language so they can communicate with deaf women without an interpreter.

It is thought the move could especially help in emergency situations, when an interpreter may not be on hand.

Bernadette Gregory, senior lecturer in midwifery at DMU, is running the course with the help of local charity Action Deafness.

Student midwives will learn basic sign language and be taught about issues facing deaf people.

Ms Gregory said: "We decided to run these sessions to highlight the fact that midwives are personally and professionally accountable under the new Equality Act, which came into force in October 2010, to offer the best possible, non-discriminatory care, to all women and their partners.

"The workshops have highlighted some of the problems faced by deaf parents accessing midwives and their unique communication needs and we hope to teach the next generation of midwives how to communicate and provide better care to these women at such an important time in their lives.

"I believe that we are the first university to run this type of training and I hope by highlighting this issue, midwives and other health care professionals will introduce it into their training."

Dr Joanna Downes, from the charity, said: "These workshops are not only about teaching British sign Language but they enlighten the student midwives on the psychological, emotional, social and communication issues facing deaf parents and hearing parents of newly diagnosed deaf babies.

"Many deaf parents face challenges and barriers accessing the same services that other people get and during times of pregnancy and labour, it can be even more stressful for them. The aim of this is to make the pregnancy and labour experiences for both the deaf parents and NHS professionals more positive and effective."

 

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Leicester university trains midwives in sign language

BBC - Leicester university trains midwives in sign language

Student midwives at a university in Leicester are the first in the UK to be taught basic sign language so they can help deaf women during labour.

De Montfort University (DMU) has introduced signing to their midwifery course so the students can communicate with deaf women without an interpreter.

It is thought the move could especially help in emergency situations, when an interpreter may not be on hand.

The course has been running with the help of the charity Action Deafness.
DMU's senior midwifery lecturer Bernadette Gregory, who has been running the sessions, believes sign language will improve communication of future midwives.

"We hope the next generation of midwifes will be able to offer better care by being able to communicate a lot better with deaf women at such an important time in their lives," said Bernadette.

Amanda Mitchell, one of the student midwives who has attended a sign language session, said: "We have to make sure that we are aware of deaf women out there.

"The deaf awareness classes has made me look at midwifery differently - I'm more aware of the complex needs of all women accessing midwifery services."

Marie Sneesby, who is deaf, thought she was prepared when she went into hospital to have her daughter.

"I had a rota of interpreters who could help when my baby was born, but unfortunately the list ran out because my daughter was two weeks late," said Marie.

"So I didn't have an interpreter on standby."

Marie said she struggled to communicate with staff during the caesarean procedure.

"I couldn't even to say a simple thing to a midwife like I'm in pain, or I'm thirsty, or ask a simple question."

Dr Joanna Downes from Action Deafness said: "When deaf parents go into a midwifery department it's a very stressful experience for them."

"It's more stressful when they arrive and the professional says 'what? what?' and the communication and approach isn't very good.

"So if the midwives know a little bit of signing that would actually help things in the initial process," added Dr Downes.