UK Council on Deafness appointment of Director
The process of appointing a new Director is proceeding and it is hoped that an appointment will be able to be made early in the new year. In the interim period from 1st January the organisation will be continuing all its usual activities. Clare Long, Office Manager, and Roger Hewitt, Projects Manager, will be continuing in their roles and will be managing all the functions of the organisation under the guidance of the Board of Trustees. They can be contacted as usual on
c.long@deafcouncil.org.uk and
r.hewitt@deafcouncil.org.uk.
A recent survey of patients found that many people from 'marginalised' groups were not satisfied with access to their GP. Access means getting the same service as other patients. If you cannot understand what the GP says, or they cannot understand you, then you do not have equal access to the service. This is the experience of many deaf people.
The Department of Health wants access to improve for everyone. SignHealth has been asked to get suggestions from as many people as possible. Let us know what you would do to improve access. Maybe your GP already does something that makes a big difference - and you think all GPs everywhere should do the same. If so, then let us know. All views and ideas will be gathered together and a list of recommendations made to the Department of Health. Thank you for your help. The survey is at:
http://www.signhealth.org.uk/index.php?pageID=71
DEAF WORLD 1st October 2009
Hampshire Deaf Association is pleased to announce it is holding its Deaf World exhibition on Thursday 1st October 2009. The event will be taking place at the Rosebowl Southampton. Deaf World presents a fantastic opportunity for the deaf community to discover and learn more about the services and facilities that are available to them, and also for the exhibitors to highlight and offer advice about their particular services. If you are interested in coming along and showcasing your business please contact Hampshire Deaf on Tel: 023 8051 6516, Fax: 023 80 516 517, Textphone: 023 80 516 518, or email:
deafworld@deafhamshire.org.
Call for Papers to participate in the exhibition workshops:
Deaf World 2009 provides the opportunity for private, public and voluntary sectors to showcase their products, equipment and support services to the community, particularly D/deaf people. In 2009 Hampshire Deaf Association will be celebrating 130 years of providing services and support to D/deaf and hard of hearing people. The theme of the exhibition “New Beginnings” will see the Association re-launching its services to their beneficiaries and supporters. In keeping with the theme of the day, papers are solicited on all topics that effect the future of deaf and hard of hearing people. Papers from all types of private, public or voluntary organisation, on any topic or issue will be considered by the organising committee. Presenters need to indicate how they will make their sessions interactive and facilitate thinking about their chosen topic. Sessions will be in the form of one hour workshops. There are 3 available workshop sessions throughout the day. Please submit your papers by 31 January 2009. Papers will be selected by the organising committee, by 15 February 2009.
HAC launches consultation on introducing HPC compliant standards from 1st April 2009
The Hearing Aid Council (HAC) is currently consulting on a proposal to replace its current rules on Continuing Professional Development with standards that mirror those of the Health Professions Council (HPC). If the plan is accepted then the new standards would come in to force from 1st April 2009. The consultation is available on the HAC’s website or by contacting the HAC office. The
deadline for responses is 31st January 2009. Commenting on the proposal, HAC Chief Executive Sandra Verkuyten said: “By introducing standards now that match the Health Professions Council’s, we hope to ease the transfer for our registrants. In the meantime the change would help us to minimise our costs while at the same time allowing dispensers to focus their professional development on areas that will most benefit consumers”.
