People whose preferred language is BSL can communicate with St Helena’s SinglePoint nurses from their home by clicking the ‘BSL Live’ button on the organisation’s website to be connected to a registered interpreter from SignVideo, who will then confidentially relay the conversation live between the caller and SinglePoint.

Deaf patients and visitors also have the choice to use video remote interpreting (VRI) to communicate while at the Hospice by downloading the SignVideo app on their own device to access an interpreter on the spot.

Lisa Parrish, director of care at St Helena Hospice, said:

“Accessing hospice services can feel scary or overwhelming for people, perhaps even more so when in crisis and there is a communication barrier.

“The SignVideo interpreting service will help us better support deaf and hard of hearing patients and their families at a time which can be difficult for them. Deaf BSL users can contact our SinglePoint team at any time, even in the middle of the night, every day of the year, via a trained BSL interpreter, and will quickly have the support of St Helena Hospice professionals.

“Deaf people visiting the Hospice building can also download the app onto their own phone or tablet, empowering them to connect to an interpreter if they choose.”

The BSL Live button for people who wish to contact the Hospice or its SinglePoint service, can be found at the top of our website homepage and contact us page and is available free of charge 24 hours a day, every day of the year.