I am writing to raise serious concerns about the ongoing issues faced by the Deaf community in Lancashire due to the inadequate provision of British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters in healthcare settings.

As you may or may not be aware, there are 18 million people in the UK who are affected by deafness, and around 151,000 of those use British Sign Language as their first or preferred language. (source: RNID) We use the word Deaf (with a capital D) to refer to these people, who view their deafness as a source of pride. Deaf means a cultural and linguistic identity, as well as a community of people.

 
Many Deaf individuals across the region are being denied fair and equal access to medical care due to repeated failures by the interpreting agency contracted in Lancashire. These failures include:

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  A shortage of qualified BSL interpreters available for bookings
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  Frequent delays in confirming or arranging appointments
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  Last-minute cancellations without providing alternative support
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  Ignored or unacknowledged interpreter booking requests

As a result, Deaf patients are missing vital healthcare appointments, struggling to communicate with medical professionals, and experiencing significantly poorer health outcomes. For more information on this please see https://signhealth.org.uk/in-the-news/hidden-nhs-scandal-putting-millions-of-lives-at-risk/

 This is a clear violation of their rights under the Equality Act 2010 and the NHS Constitution.

The current system is simply not working. The agency’s inability to meet the demand is leaving many in the Deaf community isolated and unsupported. Urgent action is needed to review the current contract, improve interpreter availability, and ensure all Deaf patients receive the accessible and inclusive healthcare they are entitled to.

I urge you to raise this issue in Parliament, speak to local NHS commissioners, and help push for a transparent review of the interpreting services in Lancashire. The Deaf community cannot continue to be overlooked and underserved in this way.

We have had to seek support in creating this letter because in the healthcare sector, complaints procedures are often inaccessible to the Deaf community, creating a significant barrier to voicing concerns and seeking redress. Many healthcare providers rely on phone hotlines, written forms, or in-person conversations without offering sign language interpretation or alternative communication methods.

This can exclude Deaf individuals who use British Sign Language (BSL) or other sign languages as their primary form of communication. Even when online complaint forms are available, they frequently lack visual or interactive support, such as video relay services or clear instructions in plain English. As a result, Deaf patients may feel discouraged or unable to report mistreatment, miscommunication, or substandard care. Making complaints procedures inclusive through accessible formats, trained staff, and professional interpreters is essential to uphold patient rights and ensure equitable healthcare services.

Even when Deaf individuals successfully navigate the inaccessible complaints process in Lancashire, the responses they receive are frequently inadequate or not received at all.

Thank you for your attention and support on this matter. I am happy to provide further information or facilitate conversations with those directly affected.