Deaf-led charity and language service provider, Action Deafness, has been awarded a new contract with NHS Sussex Health under the ESCC (East Sussex County Council) SUSTI Framework Agreement.

Action Deafness has been working in the region, serving the hospitals and primary care services, for the last 10 years and will continue to provide high quality services for the next three years.

The awarded contract will start in November 2022 and will include hospitals, GP surgeries, mental health services and primary care services. Action Deafness will provide British Sign Language Interpreters, lip speakers and other professionals to support communication with Deaf people and people with sensory needs as part of the contract.

Sign Language Interpreting services will continue to be delivered face-to-face and with a greater emphasis on remote interpreting. This will mean that Deaf people can contact services and have some appointments without leaving their home if they wish.

Craig Crowley, Action Deafness CEO, said: “We are delighted to be chosen as the preferred provider for this contract because high quality services enable Deaf people to access NHS services in their first language at point of need. We look forward to developing further services to support the Deaf community. This will include a new Hub Connect provision which will bring the Deaf and hard of Hearing communities closer together so they can influence interpreting services in the future.”

In addition to providing face-to-face and video sign language interpreting, Action Deafness also provides Community & Care support and Hub Connect services to the Deaf community on behalf of NHS trusts and local authorities.

Notes:
Action Deafness operates in eight main catchment areas throughout the UK. Action Deafness is a NHS Shared Business Services approved provider of sign language interpreting services.
NHS Sussex Health Contracting Authority includes: i) University Hospital Sussex (East and West), ii) East Sussex HealthCare Trust, iii) Sussex Community Foundation Trust and iv) Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust.