| Supported by Tesco Charity Trust, the national healthcare charity for Deaf people SignHealth has created clips to give Deaf men and women access to information about cancers, diabetes and heart disease.
Steve Powell, Chief Executive of SignHealth, said, "We are targeting some of the nation's biggest health-related killers and have produced the BSL video clips with NHS Choices, which were very kindly funded by a £10,000 grant from Tesco Charity Trust.
"For many Deaf people English is not their first language and health information often contains words and concepts that are complex and unfamiliar."
However adept they are at lip reading, a Deaf person will rarely take in the full detail of a discussion. Steve added, "This is the first time that Deaf sign language users will be able to access information on the NHS Choices website.
"We have covered topics on breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease, lung cancer and prostrate cancer in these first film clips. They have been launched on the video section of the NHS Choices website www.nhs.uk and will also be launched on the SignHealth website www.signhealth.org.uk
"The five health areas were chosen because they affect a lot of people in the UK. NHS Choices produced the scripts for the topics and once these were agreed, Remark! which is the largest Deaf-run an Deaf-led film company in theUK, did the filming."
Remark! specialises in all aspects of television and video production. BSL, interpreting, training and translation. Mark Nelson, Managing Director, who is Deaf, said, "I am delighted that Remark! was asked to make the NHS Choices video clips in BSL. We understand the importance of having easily accessible health information as it is key to making decisions and choices.
"The clips are a perfect example as so many Deaf people are missing out on vital health messages and this is a step in te right direction. We hope to see more NHS information being easily available to the Deaf community."
Grace Vanterpool MBE, Consultant Nurse and Diabetes Service Manager for the NHS, said, "The videos are excellent and I would recommend that all health professionals inform their patients about them." |