Initiative gives deaf people back control

The package - called All About Me - has been developed nationally over the last two years, and supported by the local health trust, Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust.

The project includes deaf service users and deaf staff in partnership with clinicians from a number of mental health trusts across England, private providers and commissioners from NHS England.

All About Me scooped a gold award at the National Service User Awards 2016 for patient involvement.

Rebecca Walls, project lead and community psychiatric nurse for deaf people in South Yorkshire, said: “This new recovery package is valuable. All About Me brings a focus on the importance of the person’s individual communication needs and identity as a deaf person. It enables an increased understanding of the needs of deaf service users and empowers them to take control of their care and their recovery goals. It makes them more a part of the decision making process, rather than feeling that they are outside it.”