Deaf BSL - FOI Response Register

We would like to have statistics for two periods: 1st October 2021 – 30th September 2022 and 1st October 2022 – 30th September 2023 for the following questions:

1. How many Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) using patients are registered with your NHS Board?

a)   The age groups of the Deaf BSL-using patients.

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested.

2. How many of these Deaf patients requested BSL/English interpreting support in their appointments?

a.         How many of these requests were fulfilled?

b.         How many hours of interpreting time were provided in total?

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested.

3. Does your board hold a register of BSL/English interpreters?

No, we do signpost to the use of Contact Scotland on our website:

https://www.nhsshetland.scot/rights/accessibility/3

a)  If you answered yes, how many BSL/English interpreters are registered with your NHS Board?

i)          How many fully qualified interpreters?

ii)         How many trainee interpreters?

b)         How many of them are freelance interpreters?

c)         How many of them are in-house interpreters?

4. How many of these registered interpreters identify as:

a)         Men?

b)         Women?

c)         Other gender?

See response to Q3

5. How many appointments were cancelled/postponed due to:

a)         An interpreter was requested, and the booking was confirmed but they did not turn up?

b)         An interpreter was requested (by the NHS department), but no booking was confirmed?

c)         No-one (from the NHS department) made the request to book an interpreter?

d)         A request by a Deaf patient to change the choice of interpreter?

e)         Other reasons?

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested.

6. Deaf BSL users needing emergency care:

a)         How many times were BSL/English interpreters requested in emergency situations?

b)         How many hours of emergency interpreting were provided?

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested.

7. Were Deaf patients informed in advance of their appointment which interpreter has been booked?

a)         If yes, how many of the booked appointments?

b)         What were the methods of letting Deaf patients know who has been booked?

c)         How long before the appointment were the Deaf BSL users informed?

d)         If no, can you state why?

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested.

8. How many complaints did you receive from Deaf BSL users, specifically about their BSL access at:

a)         GP surgeries?

b)         Hospitals?

c)         Mental health services?

d)         Other NHS services?

Nil