Many people born deaf do not have English as a first language

This may be obvious to many, but some people, who are deaf from birth, have never learned to read.

Their communication skills may be highly sophisticated but, if staff on the wards cannot understand their signing, writing a message on a piece of paper may mean little or nothing to them.

If staff are caring for someone who is deaf, always ensure that everything possible has been done to ensure that the patient is confident that he/she has a way of making themselves understood - especially in an emergency.

Simple finger-spelling is now available as an app. It doesn't take long to learn and, the ability to communicate simply with a deaf person who cannot understand what is going on, could go a long way to relieving their anxiety.

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