Communicate Now Communicate Well
Research type
Research Study
Full title
‘Communicate Now Communicate Well’ A pilot research study into the provision of on-line BSL interpretation for profoundly deaf people and the effectiveness of current provision of hearing equipment to patients with hearing loss.
IRAS ID
221262
Contact name
Robert Salter
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cwm Taf University Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Working with Welsh Interpretation and Translation Service (WITS) and Centre for Sign, Sight, Sound, a partner with an existing on-line interpretation service, the project will pilot on-line interpretation in ten clinical settings. Online BSL Interpretation is the use of video conferencing to provide a video link between the patient in a clinical setting and an available interpreter based in a remote location. Interpreters in Wales are freelance and are booked as an when they are needed by WITS or the Centre for Sign, Sight and Sound. All interpreters are vetted by the booking agencies prior to any booking being made. Cwm Taf University Health Board has a service level agreement with WITS to provide BSL interpretation for the Health Board. The Centre of Sign, Sight and Sound has a contractual arrangement with WITS to offer availability of online interpreters for their bookings.
In addition to the above research study element, the project will also introduce and monitor the effectiveness of the roll out of assisted hearing equipment for people who are hard of hearing and do not use BSL to communicate.
The study is twofold – firstly it will introduce and evaluate the effectiveness of an on-line BSL interpretation system. It will consider whether it is an effective alternative to ‘face to face’ interpretation, establish which areas it could work in and effectively develop a model for use within our Health Board and which could also be adopted by other health boards as a ‘way forward’ for BSL interpretation.The second part of the study will assess the effectiveness of the 'Sonido' personal listening device and the 'LoopHear' portable hearing loop equipment to determine whether it has improved the patient experience by enabling effective communication. Cwm Taf University Health Board has untaken an extensive programme to equip all clinical areas with these devices.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
17/WA/0140
Date of REC Opinion
4 May 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion