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Webcam will help hospital communicate with deaf patients - Surrey Herald
DOCTORS and nurses at St Peter's hospital will now be able to communicate with deaf patients by using an on-line interpreter.
The outpatient department at St Peter’s hospital in Chertsey has opened a communications resource room to help patients with hearing difficulties.
The room offers a private and quiet place for individual consultations and is set up with specific equipment to give patients extra support.
It has a built in hearing loop system for patients who use a hearing aid, and also offers access - via an on-line service - to sign language interpreting. This works by using a webcam to film the patient, who in turn can view a sign language interpreter via the computer screen. The doctor or nurse would communicate with the interpreter via the telephone.
The service can also offer sign language in a variety of other languages as well as a range of printed patient information.
The room is also equipped with a dedicated Language Line telephone, which is a double handset allowing both the patient and the member of staff to speak directly, via their individual handsets, to an interpreter at the other end. Language Line offers a 24/7 telephone translation service in a large number of foreign languages.
Outpatient matron Di Lashbrook said: “The resource room is making a real difference for our patients with additional communication needs. Having a dedicated and relaxed space, with all the relevant equipment in one place, makes this kind of communication much easier both for patients and for staff.”
DOCTORS and nurses at St Peter's hospital will now be able to communicate with deaf patients by using an on-line interpreter.
The outpatient department at St Peter’s hospital in Chertsey has opened a communications resource room to help patients with hearing difficulties.
The room offers a private and quiet place for individual consultations and is set up with specific equipment to give patients extra support.
It has a built in hearing loop system for patients who use a hearing aid, and also offers access - via an on-line service - to sign language interpreting. This works by using a webcam to film the patient, who in turn can view a sign language interpreter via the computer screen. The doctor or nurse would communicate with the interpreter via the telephone.
The service can also offer sign language in a variety of other languages as well as a range of printed patient information.
The room is also equipped with a dedicated Language Line telephone, which is a double handset allowing both the patient and the member of staff to speak directly, via their individual handsets, to an interpreter at the other end. Language Line offers a 24/7 telephone translation service in a large number of foreign languages.
Outpatient matron Di Lashbrook said: “The resource room is making a real difference for our patients with additional communication needs. Having a dedicated and relaxed space, with all the relevant equipment in one place, makes this kind of communication much easier both for patients and for staff.”