Helpful tips

General Practices/Clinics

When deafblind patients use general practice surgeries they may need support. ln dealing with a deafblind patient please make sure they know you are a member of staff. Give them your name - if possible it will help if the same member of staff can see a certain deafblind patient regularly. This will help to build confidence for both parties.

• You may need to allow a longer appointment for a deafblind person, as some specialist communication methods can be slow.

• Ensure you have loops fitted to help deafblind people who use hearing aids to hear the receptionist and doctor/nurse's voice more clearly.

• Remember that many deafblind patients cannot hear or see anything or communicate at all through a security screen so please be prepared to come out from behind the desk to serve them.

• Take your time to explain things clearly and at the pace the deafblind patient can follow.

• For a one to one consultation - you should ask the deafblind person if they need an interpreter, unless you can communicate effectively yourself. We can advise you about how to arrange this.

  • Make sure the deafblind person is provided with full information in a format they can read independently such as large print or Braille (or audiotape for those with enough hearing left).

  • Take your time. Take care to explain your diagnosis and any treatment fully.

   

  • Make sure you know how to arrange for instructions for medication / treatment to be provided in braille or large print or on audiotape for deafblind patients. Check with the patient what they prefer to read.