NDP legislation to expand services for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients at hospitals

HALIFAX - The NDP will introduce legislation today that would ensure that people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing have interpretation services available during a medical emergency.

“People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing shouldn’t have to be concerned that there will not be interpretive services available for them at hospitals in the event of an emergency,” said Tammy Martin, NDP Health and Wellness Spokesperson. “This legislation would ensure all employees of the Health Authority receiving training on assisting people with hearing difficulties, and would require hospitals to have up-to-date computer programs to provide interpretation when an interpreter is not available in person.”

Tom Nickerson is one of more than 58,000 people who are deaf and hard-of-hearing in Nova Scotia. In 2018 he ended up at the emergency room, without any interpretation available.

“If these amendments are put into place as law, there would be a great difference to the people of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. When we get to the emergency departments or centres, we will not have to try to explain, nor defend, why we need sign language interpreters. The staff will have been trained, and will know what to do, avoiding confusion and delay,” said Nickerson.

“Confusion and delay are dangerous in emergency situations. It will avoid misunderstanding. If doctors misunderstand what is wrong, there may be wasted time and wasted tests. We need the sign language interpreters for safety and clarity. Use of our language, for us, is necessary. It is the only language that we have,” Nickerson continued.

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