{
  "abstract": "Background One in four UK adults are deaf, rising to 80% of the over 70s (Akeroyd, Munro. Int J Audiol. 2024;63(9):659-660) – therefore deaf people represent a high proportion of those interacting with our hospice services including patients and workforce. However, staff do not routinely receive any deaf insight training, leading to poorer access and outcomes for deaf people within hospice settings (Jobling. End of life research. [Newcastle upon Tyne]: Deaflink; 2016).Aims An education programme and service improvement project aimed to improve staff knowledge and skills when working with deaf people, and to ensure that they had resources to provide equitable care. We measured adherence to the NHS accessible information standard (NHS England. 2017 [internet]) to assess our improvement.Methods A regular teaching programme led by a deaf clinician for clinical and non-clinical staff aimed to improve their understanding of the needs of deaf people and to develop specialist communication skills. Clinical staff received training on working with sign language interpreters and using assistive technology. Through staff feedback and engagement with local deaf groups, equipment was invested in to ensure all areas of the environment were accessible to deaf people – staff and patients. All of this was integrated into staff induction and regular education programmes to ensure sustainability.Results The programme showed a significant improvement in adherence to the NHS accessible information standard. All patients were routinely asked about their communication needs and a diverse range of communication needs were met and supported. Staff felt more confident communicating with deaf people and also had their own needs met routinely. Deaf patients felt more involved and autonomous in their care.Conclusion Deaf insight is a poorly understood area within hospice settings, and the lack of insight has critical consequences. This quality improvement project shows that education and service improvement can significantly improve the outcomes and experience of all deaf people interacting with hospice services – allowing them to experience equitable care and access.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal Trinity Hospice, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Natasha Wilcock"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal Trinity Hospice, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Polly Balsom"
    }
  ],
  "title": "O-12 Improving access and inclusion for deaf patients, relatives, volunteers and staff within a hospice – a multi-disciplinary quality improvement project",
  "uid": "ab704f30-7aac-536e-9dc7-5117b76fe3f2"
}