Dec 012016
LanguageLine Boycott
NUBSLI (the National Union of British Sign Language Interpreters) are boycotting NHS contracts won by LangaugeLine Solutions. This agency, that calls deaf people “hearing impaired” and describe BSL as “a visual means of communicating using gestures, facial expression, and body language”, has won NHS contracts in Sheffield, London and the Midlands by putting in a bid at below market rates and is imposing cuts of a third on the rates paid to interpreters and reducing bookings by 1 hour.
It is impossible to provide a high quality and safe service if you are constantly clock watching. Deaf people, often need information to be repeated after they leave an appointment to make sure everything has been understood or will need support in accessing the pharmacy. Appointments aren’t always over when you leave the consulting room. That extra level of care and support from
Interpreters will go if they are being pushed to get to the next appointment.
The way in which home carers are being pressured to take more bookings for less money is the way Interpreting is headed if we don’t put a stop to these cuts. This isn’t about money for interpreters. This is about deaf people’s access to Heath care
Please sign and share our petition:
Absolutely disgraceful to leave the Deaf community high and dry like that. Got very angry about it.
Signed Friday, will share soon as I can.
Excellent post – have signed and shared the petition.