DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING

Hospital and GP interpreting service

If you have an appointment with your GP or hospital and you need a BSL interpreter please contact your GP/hospital to book. Please give the GP notice to book a BSL interpreter. This is funded by the local NHS trust. It is your right to have a qualified interpreter for medical appointments.

See Connect to Support Hampshire, for local support and information about hearing loss and deafness.

You can access the NHS 111 BSL service everyday ("24/7") to make a video call to a BSL interpreter who will then telephone an NHS 111 adviser and relay your conversation with them.

The NHS 111 adviser will assess your symptoms and either give you the advice you need, book you an appointment or transfer you directly to the people you need to speak to, in order to get the help you need.

If NHS 111 advisers think you need an ambulance, they will immediately arrange one for you.

Hearing assessment and hearing aid self Referrals

If you are over 55 years, with gradual hearing loss, please follow the link for instructions on how to arrange a hearing test with a view to hearing aids, there is no need to speak to a GP to access this service.