The WHO estimates that there are around 466 million people with disabling hearing loss across the world (WHO:03/18). Of which the most severely affected are considered deaf; having a hearing loss of more than 81 decibels (InformedHealthOnline:05/18).
In the UK alone there are estimated to be 50,000 deaf people (Medico-LegalJournal:12/17) and yet there is a shortage of interpreters across the NHS, causing patients to rely on relatives to interpret for them and being left feeling isolated and let down by their own health service.
As medical students we believe that we have identified a readymade workforce within the NHS that could fill this skills void. Doctors themselves. Therefore, we have endeavoured to learn basic sign language over the next TWO months to prove that the deaf need not be left behind in our modern NHS
Deaf people can do anything hearing people can, except hear.
Dr. King Jordan
Sign Of The Times 