Deaf People Can Now Give Full Informed Consent


DEAF PEOPLE NOW CAN GIVE FULL INFORMED CONSENT

FREE INTEPRETERS AT THE DOCTOR’S

 

For many Deaf people, written and spoken English is not their first language. Sign Language is their first language. Many Deaf people struggle with written and spoken English. Most Deaf people in Australia communicate with Australian Sign Language (Auslan).  Auslan is recognised as a community language by the Australian Government.

The risk of Deaf patients not being able to give their informed consent is very high when they do not have Interpreters for their medical appointments. Without the facilitation of a professional signing Interpreter, the Deaf person is at high risk of not understanding the implications involved and future consequences of an action.

Gaye Inall, of Petrie, QLD, is Deaf and a Teacher of the Deaf at Caboolture State High School, Caboolture.  “Before I had no interpreter for my private medical appointments”, Gaye said. “It was difficult communicating with my Doctor. My Doctor would write notes but I didn’t know what it meant”. “I often made mistakes with taking medicine”, Gaye said.

When Gaye learned that the National Auslan Booking Service (NABS) provides free Interpreting services for Deaf people for their private medical and health care appointments, Gaye became a regular user of NABS. She told NABS that in the past her health was not good because she and her Doctor could not understand each other.

 “When I booked a free sign language Interpreter from NABS for my Doctor’s appointment, both my Doctor and I now understand each other”, Gaye said. ‘Now I can find out what is wrong with me, and know what to do”. “My health has improved!” Gaye said.

As a result of having an Interpreter at her medical appointments, Gaye now can give her full informed consent.

Private medical practitioners such as GP’s, Specialists, Chiropractors, Psychologists, Endocrinologists and many  more can book an Sign Language Interpreter from NABS at absolutely no cost. NABS is funded by the Department of Family, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA). The provision of sign language Interpreters is free to both the private medical practitioner and the client.

At a recent inquiry into hearing health in Australia, Senator Rachel Siewert, of the Australian Greens, and Chair of the Community Affairs References Committee on an inquiry into hearing health in Australia, said “ There are currently approximately four million (one in five) people in Australia who have been identified as being deaf or having a hearing impairment.”

To book FREE Interpreter, contact the friendly Call Centre staff and they will be happy to assist you.

 

 

  • The National Auslan Booking Service (NABS) provides FREE sign language Interpreters for private medical and allied health care.
  • NABS Interpreting services are available to deaf Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders for both private and public health care.
  • NABS is funded by Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).

Sources: http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/media-releases

James Kerwin, Communications Officer, NABS
 
NABS Call Centre is here for you. NABS is open 8 am to 8 pm Mon-Fri, 8 am – 1pm Saturdays, your local time, Australia-wide.