RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.

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Information Line (Freephone)
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk

We already offer a range of care services and about 380 deaf people with a variety of needs are currently using these.  However, research has shown there is a gap in specialist services for deaf people with mental health support needs.  Our mental health service project is working to fill this gap.

Why is this project important?

  • Around 40% of deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives. This is compared to only 25% of hearing people. [report by SIGN and the Mental Health Foundation]
  • Communication is key to understanding and treating mental health problems so deaf and hard of hearing people need specialised support.
  • In the NHS there are only three specialist units for deaf people with mental health support needs.
  • There are not enough beds in specialist NHS units and there is nowhere else to move these service users to. So service users remain as in-patients for up to four times longer than someone who is hearing that is in the same situation.  Because of their longer stay, service users often become institutionalised and find it difficult to return to independent lives.
  • Because there are not enough specialist units service users are placed in mainstream NHS services. These services don't always meet the communication needs of deaf and hard of hearing people.

John's story….
John is a retired police sergeant. He tells us about his experiences of being deaf and having mental health issues. Read John's story.

What we’re doing

In January 2007 we announced plans to develop a new service for deaf people with mental health support needs.  Funding for the development of this service was secured from Futurebuilders England, the investment fund for the voluntary sector.

Following a recent review of the original proposal and a re-evaluation of need, the plans for the service have changed. We will now provide eight residential placements of flexible length in one purpose built building. 

The ethos of the service will remain the same and will offer:

  • a therapeutic and socially inclusive environment that is focused on rehabilitation and recovery
  • a transition to independent living – each service user will be involved in the development of their own care plan setting out the steps they need to take and the support they need to manage their condition and enjoy a full life
  • a communication rich environment with bespoke, person centred packages of care.

Progress

There have been unavoidable delays due to limited success in the search for land but a significant amount of progress has been achieved in other areas of the programme.  A Project Board and Implementation Group have been established and an Advisory panel made up of professionals in the field of mental health and deafness, has also been set up. 

Other progress includes:

  • creating a service specification
  • agreeing a staffing model
  • developing a recruitment and training plan
  • ongoing development of new professional networks
  • a service user involvement strategy
  • identifying and understanding care pathways
  • appointing professional advisors such as architects, project managers, lawyers etc.
  • early work on the design brief for the building.

Latest update

We are currently looking for a suitable site in Derby and hope to be able to provide an update on this search soon. In the meantime we are:

  • finalising the building design brief with our appointed architects
  • establishing a service user consultative group to feed into the design and service specification.

Further information

Complete our online enquiry form for more information about this service.

Updates

This page will be updated when we have any more information.