We share the long-term goal for all Scottish public services set out in the BSL National Plan, which is:
To strengthen the evidence and data on the BSL community in Scotland to better inform decision making in public policy and service design.
We will:
- Engage with our BSL community, partners, organisations and networks to identify what evidence exists.
- Use the expertise from these groups to inform decision making and improve services for BSL users in the area.
- Work towards making sure our records and databases have the capacity to record preferred contact method, first or preferred language, interpreter/deafblind interpreter and/or guide communicator required.
- Explore how we can improve our systems to ensure efficient interpreter booking, consistent care, and seamless information sharing between services, with a strong focus on meeting patients’ communication needs and language preferences.
- Raise staff awareness of the importance of communication methods and language preferences for improving patient-centred care.
- NHS Forth Valley and Falkirk Council will work together to address barriers to gathering BSL data and evidence. We will identify and prioritise gaps in the current evidence base for BSL users in Forth Valley.