The Scottish Government is piloting what it describes as a “video interpreting service” which will support deaf people to communicate with pharmacy staff through their smartphones.
As part of the Contact Scotland British Sign Language Video Remote Interpreting pilot, which runs for six months, deaf patients scan a QR code and type a pharmacy’s name before being connected to an interpreter, then the pharmacist or pharmacy team member.
The Government said the service, which builds on the Contact Scotland British Sign Language service which launched in 2016 and allows users to make calls to people with no hearing loss through a qualified interpreter, is free for pharmacies to use because sign language users access it through their own devices.
Public health minister Maree Todd said the pilot will improve access to services such as Pharmacy First for deaf patients.
“Pharmacy First is a vital service that gives quick and easy access to advice and treatment for everyday health concerns, often without needing an appointment. Now deaf British sign language users can also walk into any pharmacy and receive the same fast, independent healthcare advice as everyone else,” she said.
“This is removing barriers and ensuring British sign language users are not left waiting or without support when they need it. I want to help people access more services at their fingertips, in their communities and closer to home.
“Scotland is the first part of the UK to have a fully funded free-to-use service which has been shaped by the views of BSL users themselves and this pilot is the next step in expanding access. I thank everyone who helped the Scottish Government bring this forward.”
Clare Vale, the managing director of Sign Solutions, a UK-based sign language agency and communication provider which is supplying interpreters for the pilot, said: “This is an important step towards improving access to pharmacy services for deaf and deaf-blind British sign language users across Scotland. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on accessibility.”
