Public Services for People with Hearing Loss

1. Questions to the Minister for Social Justice – in the Senedd on 29 March 2023.

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Photo of Mike Hedges Mike Hedges Labour

(Translated)

7. Will the Minister make a statement on the provision of public services to those with hearing loss? OQ59329

Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 2:22, 29 March 2023

Thank you, Mike Hedges. The Welsh Government has set up a working group to focus on access to services as part of the disability rights taskforce. This working group is integral to driving forward access to all services in Wales, including those with hearing loss.

Photo of Mike Hedges Mike Hedges Labour

I thank the Minister for the response. The deaf and hard of hearing community consists of those who are born with hearing loss and those who have lost their hearing as they’ve got older. Many deaf people use British Sign Language as their main means of communication. Phone-only services do not work for people with hearing loss. 

Photo of Mike Hedges Mike Hedges Labour

Thank you, Mark. Perhaps that could be passed on to some GP practices who demand that people ring when it’s basically impossible for them to do so. How can the Welsh Government ensure that those with hearing loss who are dealing with Welsh Government-funded bodies either deal with someone who uses BSL or has access to an interpreter?

Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour

Thank you for that question and for that particularly important follow-up, which relates to how people can access our services. I'll certainly look into that, Mike, in terms of those we fund in delivery of our commitment. Obviously, it is a commitment in terms of BSL. We've got a report just coming through from the British Deaf Association audit on BSL provision in the Welsh Government, with a view to signing up to the BSL charter. So, this is collectively important work, but it's good feedback to factor into that.