Deaf people are more likely to experience poor mental health than the wider population. Yet, they face additional barriers accessing appropriate support and care, including a lack of accessible information and a shortage of trained interpreters and signing staff.
Springfield University Hospital in Tooting provides specialist services for deaf adults and children with mental health needs. The hospital provides assessment, treatment and interventions for a full range of mental illnesses, for adults with severe to profound hearing loss. It is also the base for the National Deaf Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
The London Assembly Health Committee is investigating mental health and how marginalised groups in London, like Deaf people, access mental health services. The committee will be visiting the wards and meeting with staff and service users. This visit will be an opportunity to see specialist services in action and topics for discussion include:
- The difficulties Deaf adults and children have faced in accessing mental health care in the past.
- How Springfield University Hospital has adapted its services to support Deaf people.
- What improvements service users would like to see made to health services in the future.
MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
Spokespeople available:
Dr Onkar Sahota AM, Chair of the Health Committee
Leonie Cooper AM, Assembly Member for Merton & Wandsworth
David Bradley, Chief Executive Officer, South West London & St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust
Service users
Location: Springfield University Hospital, 61 Glenburnie Road, SW17 7DJ (Newton Building, entrance 5)
Date and time: Wednesday 29 March, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Directions: Nearest station: Tooting Bec (Northern Line)
Notes to editors
- Location map of Springfield University Hospital.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7983 4067. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.