Written question WQ94888

The Welsh Government is committed to improving access to healthcare services for everyone with sensory loss.

The All-Wales Standards for Communication and Information for People with Sensory Loss were published in 2013 with the aim of dismantling barriers to healthcare for people with sensory loss. All NHS organisations have a duty to meet the standards as part of their commitment to equality, and to the Duty of Quality. Under this duty, the Welsh Government can at any time seek evidence from NHS organisations of progress against the standards.

In 2023, the Welsh Government reviewed the effectiveness of the standards and undertook further work to understand the continued barriers faced by people when accessing healthcare.

In collaboration with representatives from NHS Wales and partners, including the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, British Deaf Association, Deafblind UK, Wales Interpreting and Translation Service, the Welsh Government developed additional actions to ensure the communication and information needs of patients, service users, parents and carers are consistently met. The views of people with lived experience of sensory loss on the design and delivery of health services were sought throughout this process.

Work is underway to renew and broaden the standards and implement strengthened actions to improve access to health services. Stakeholders, including those with lived experience, continue to be engaged in providing feedback on any developments throughout the design and implementation phases.